NURSING CARE PLAN

(Modified from Townsend format, Example from page 334-5)

NURSING DIAGNOSIS: Imbalanced nutrition: risk for more than body requirements
RELATED TO: Use of food as coping mechanism
EVIDENCED BY: Obese appearance and verbal expression of dysfunctional eating pattern
CLIENT STRENGTHS: Recognizes use of food as coping mechanism
OUTCOME CRITERIA
The patient verbalizes actions required to lose
weight.
Patient explores alternative healthy coping
mechanisms

NURSING INTERVENTIONS
1. Document actual weight of patient

2. Assist client to set realistic weight loss goals.

3. Discuss the significance and meaning of food
with patient
4. Explore alternative coping mechanisms with
patient.
Examples:
Identify triggers that precipitate the
coping mechanism
Refer to therapeutic treatment
Introduce mindfulness/meditation
5. Encourage exercise activity
Examples:
Identify current level of activity
Discuss benefits of exercise
Identify exercise patient enjoys
Provide positive reinforcement

RATIONALE
1. To determine effectiveness of diet and
exercise
2. Impractical goals set the client up for
disappointment
3. Patients emotional state interferes with
the ability to respond to internal cues vs.
actual hunger
4. The patient can adopt a healthy
alternative to using food as a coping
mechanism for sadness and depression.

5. Patient may adhere to regular exercise

routine if enjoyable.