Focus Charting of F-DAR is intended to make the client and client concerns and strengths

the focus of care. It is a method of organizing health information in an individuals

record. Focus Charting is a systematic approach to documentation.
Three columns are usually used in Focus Charting for documentation:

Date and Hour;

Focus and;

Progress Notes.
The progress notes are organized into (D) data, (A) action, and (R) response, referred to as
DAR (third column).
Here is an example of a format of Focus Charting or F-DAR
Date/Hour
Focus
3/7/20108:00 Focus of care, this may be:
pm

a nursing
diagnosis
a sign or a
symptom
an acute
change in
the
condition
behavior

Progress Notes
DataActionResponse

The Data Category

The data category is like the assessment phase of the nursing process. It is in this category
that you would be writing your assessment cues like: vital signs, behaviors, and other
observations noticed from the patient. Both subjective and objective data are recorded in
the data category.
The Action Category
The action category reflects the planning and implementation phase of the nursing prosess
and includes immediate and future nursing actions. It may also include any changes to the
plan of care.
The Response Category
The response category reflects the evaluation phase of the nursing process and describes
the clients response to any nursing and medical care.
Focus Charting Samples
Listed below are sample focus charting for different problems.
Pain
The focus of this problem is pain. Notice the way the D,A,R were written.
Date/Hour
Focus
Progress Notes
5/20/20108:00 Pain
D:>Reports of sharp pain on
pm
the abdominal incision area
with a pain scale of 8 out of
10>Facial
grimacing>Guarding
behavior>Restless and
irritable
A:
>Administered Celecoxib
200mg IV
>Encouraged deep
breathing exercises and
relaxation techniques
>Kept patient comfortable

and safe
R:
>Patient reports pain was
relieved
Hyperthermia
Date/Hour
Focus
Progress Notes
5/20/20108:00 Hyperthermi D:>Temperature of 38.9 OC
pm
a
via axilla>Skin is flushed
and warm to touchA:>Tepid
Sponge Bath (TSB) done
7:30pm>Administered
250mg IV Paracetamol as
per doctors order
>Encouraged adequate oral
fluid intake
>Encouraged adequate rest
R:
10:00pm>Temperature
decreased from 38.9 to
37.1 OC
Another Variation
This is DAR made by Jay-D Man of Slideshare.net. with some modifications made. This is a
very good variation.
F1: Ineffective Breathing Pattern
D1: increase respiratory rate of 24 cpm
D2: use of accessory muscle to breath
D3: presence of nonproductive cough
F2: Hyperthermia
D1: skin warm and flush to touched
D2: increased body temperature of T= 38.9 degree celsius/axilla
F3: Fatigue
D1: less movement noted
A: 9:00am
monitored v/s and charted
regulated IVF and charted
morning care done
assessed patient needs and performed
handwashing before handling the patient
advised SO to always stay on patient bedside
promote proper ventilation and a therapeutic
environment
elevated the head of the bed (moderate high
back rest)
provided comfort measures and provide
opportunity for patient to rest
due meds given
9:30am
tepid sponge bath done
instructed SO to provide blanket and let patient
wear loose clothing
F4: Discharge Plan (12:00nn)
D1: discharged order given by Dr.Name/Time

M advised SO to give the ff. meds at the right

time, dose, frequency and route
E encouraged to maintain cleanliness of the
house and surroundings
T advised to go to follow-up consultations on
the prescribed date
H encouraged to do chest tapping to facilitate
mobilization of secretion
O observed for signs of super infections such as
fever, black fury tongue and foul odor discharges
D encouraged to eat fresh vegetables and fish
S advised to continue praying to God and hear
mass on Sunday
with improved condition

2:00pm out of the room per wheelchair

Conclusion
Do you have another variation on how to do the F-DAR method? You can leave your
comments below!
References:
A very helpful guide on F-DAR or Focus Charting
via SlideShare.net
Fundamentals of Nursing by Kozier and Erbs
Image Source from here