Focus charting

(f-dar)
 FOCUS CHARTING
Focus or F-DAR charting 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 individual’s record.
Focus Charting is a systematic approach to
documentation.
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
Hereis an example of a format of Focus
Charting or F-DAR
 FOCUS CHARTING
DATE AND FOCUS DATA-ACTION-RESPONSE
TIME
11/28/19 Focus of care, this D: data
7:00 AM
may be:
• a nursing
diagnosis A: action
• a sign or a
symptom
• an acute change R: response
in the condition
• behavior
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 process and
includes immediate and future nursing actions.
Independent and dependent nursing action
 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 client’s response to
any nursing and medical care.
The Response Category
FOCUS CHARTING

SAMPLE ACTIVITY
 FOCUS CHARTING
DATE AND TIME FOCUS DATA-ACTION-RESPONSE
11/28/19 8:00 Fever D: Temp. = 38 °C; skin warm
to touch; flush skin; dry
lips; irritable
A: Continuous TSB, increase fluid intake,
avoid drafts and cold, comfort
measures, cold compress applied to
forehead, antipyretic medication as
ordered
R: Afebrile, Temp.= 37.5°C
12:00
HARLEY L. DELA CRUZ
License No. 0323088
 FOCUS CHARTING
DATE AND TIME FOCUS DATA-ACTION-RESPONSE
11/28/19 4:00 D: Reported pain in the scale of 8;
guarding position; crying; face
grimacing, irritable, unable to
focus, poor appetite
A:

6:00 R:
Name of the Nurse
License No.
 FOCUS CHARTING
DATE AND TIME FOCUS DATA-ACTION-RESPONSE
11/28/19 2:00 D: RR= 30 bpm, with productive
cough, rales on both lung fields
upon auscultation, intercostal
retractions, DOB, nasal flaring
noted
A:

4:00
R:
Name of the Nurse
License No.