FEAR Nursing Care Plan

The sample care plan about fear above is not the only way, you can create thousands of specific care plan about fear. In creating nursing care plan about fear, you must specify your focus. Example: fear of snakes.

Fear is a depensive mechanism in protecting oneself or response to perceived threat but if left unchecked, it can become disabling to the client's life.

ASSESSMENT

Subjective:

"I'm afraid of what will be the result of my operation," as verbalized by the patient.

Objectives:

The patient was diminished his/her self-esteem, he/she has loss competence and narrowed focus on the source of fear. Vital signs are taken and noted as follows: Body temperature is 36.5 degrees Celcius, blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg, respiratory rate of 22 cycles per minute, and pulse rate of 108 beats per minute. 

DIAGNOSIS

Fear related to possible unwanted result as evidenced by narrowed focus on the source of fear and increase pulse pressure. 

PLANNING

After 4 hours of nursing intervention, the patient will verbalize accurate knowledge of safety related to current situation. 

INTERVENTION

Identify sensory deficits that may be present such as vision or hearing impairment. Sensory deficits may lead to misinterpretation of the environment. Determine the client's age or his/her developmental level. This will help in understanding on usual or typical fears. Toddler often has different fears than adolescent or older people. Investigate client's reports of subjective experiences, which could be indicative of delusions or hallucinations. Note degree of incapacitation. Be alert to signs of denial and depression. Be alert to and evaluate potential for violence. Measure vital signs and physiological responses to situation.

Stay with the client more often to have someone else to be there because it provides client with desired support person that can diminished feeling of fear. Listen to the client's concern, it promotes atmosphere of caring and permits exploration of misperception. Acknowledge normalcy of fear, pain, despair, and give "permission" to express feelings appropriately. This promotes attitude of caring and opens door for discussion about feelings and addressing reality of situation. If necessary, provide presence or physical contact such as hugging, refocusing attention or rocking a child. These soothe fears and provide assurance.

Manage environmental factors such as loud noises, harsh lightning, changing of person's location or stranger in care. These can cause stress, especially to very young or to order individuals. Speak in simple sentences and concrete terms because it facilitates understanding and retention of information. Provide opportunity for questions and answer honestly to enhance sense of trust and nurse client relationship. Avoid arguing about client’s perceptions of the situation to limit conflicts when fear response may impair rational thinking. Encourage contact with a peer who has successfully dealt with a similarity fearful situation. This provides a role model and client is more likely to believe others who had similar experience. Enhances sense of control by identifying client's responsibility for the solutions while reinforcing that the nurse will be available for help if desired or needed. Check use of anti-anxiety medications and reinforce use as prescribed. Assist in identifying areas in which control can be exercised and those in which control is not possible, thus enabling client to handle fearful situations. Instruct in use of relaxation or visualization and guided imagery skills. Explain procedures within client's ability to understand and handle to prevent confusion and overload.

EVALUATION

After 4 hours of nursing intervention, the patient verbalized accurate knowledge of safety related to the current situation.

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