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NURSING DIAGNOSIS: Activity Intolerance/Fatigue
May be related to
- Generalized weakness
- Bedrest or immobility; progressive disease state/debilitating condition
- Imbalance between oxygen supply and demand
- Cognitive deficits/emotional status, secondary to underlying disease process/depression
- Pain, extreme stress
Possibly evidenced by
- Report of lack of energy, inability to maintain usual routines
- Verbalizes no desire and/or lack of interest in activity
- Lethargic; drowsy; decreased performance
- Disinterested in surroundings/introspection
Desired Outcomes
- Identify negative factors affecting performance and eliminate/reduce their effects when possible.
- Adapt lifestyle to energy level.
- Verbalize understanding of potential loss of ability in relation to existing condition.
- Maintain or achieve slight increase in activity tolerance evidenced by acceptable level of fatigue/weakness.
- Remain free of preventable discomfort and/or complications.
4 End of Life Care Nursing Care Plan (NCP)
Activity Intolerance — Hospice Care Nursing Care Plan (NCP): Nursing Interventions & Rationale
| Nursing Interventions | Rationale |
| Assess sleep patterns and note changes in thought processes/behaviors. | Multiple factors can aggravate fatigue, including sleep deprivation, emotional distress, side effects of medication, and progression of disease process. |
| Recommend scheduling activities for periods when patient has most energy. Adjust activities as necessary, reducing intensity level/discontinuing activities as indicated. | Prevents overexertion, allows for some activity within patient ability. |
| Encourage patient to do whatever possible, e.g., self-care, sit in chair, visit with family/friends. | Provides for sense of control and feeling of accomplishment. |
| Instruct patient/family/caregiver in energy conservation techniques. Stress necessity of allowing for frequent rest periods following activities. | Enhances performance while conserving limited energy, preventing increase in level of fatigue. |
| Demonstrate proper performance of ADLs, ambulation/position changes. Identify safety issues, e.g., use of assistive devices, temperature of bath water, keeping travel-ways clear of furniture. | Protects patient/caregiver from injury during activities. |
| Encourage nutritional intake/use of supplements as appropriate. | Necessary to meet energy needs for activity. |
| Document cardiopulmonary response to activity (i.e., weakness, fatigue, dyspnea, arrhythmias, and diaphoresis). | Can provide guidelines for participation in activities. |
| Monitor breath sounds. Note feelings of panic/air hunger. | Hypoxemia increases sense of fatigue, impairs ability to function. |
| Provide supplemental oxygen as indicated and monitor response. | Increases oxygenation. Evaluates effectiveness of therapy. |
Found through:
activity intolerance related factors, nursing diagnosis for diaphoresis, potential for activity intolerance related to hypertension care plan, diaphoresis nursing interventions, nursing diagnosis for lack of energy, nursing intervention for diaphoresis
