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5 Near-Drowning Nursing Care Plans

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By Paul Martin, BSN, R.N.
Near Drowning Nursing Care Plans
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Near-drowning is defined as survival for at least 24 hours from suffocation by submersion. Aspiration of water causes plasma to be pulled into the lungs, resulting in hypoxemia, acidosis, and hypovolemia. Hypoxemia results from the decrease in pulmonary surfactant caused by the absorbed water that leads to damage of the pulmonary capillary membrane. Severe hypoxia can also result from asphyxia related to submersion without aspiration of fluid.

Factors associated with near-drowning include an inability to swim, accidents/injuries, alcohol use, underlying seizure disorder or cardiac dysrhythmia, hyperventilation, and hypothermia. A client who has nearly drowned may be unresponsive. Other symptoms may include cold or pale skin, abdominal swelling, vomiting, cough with pink, frothy sputum, shortness or lack of breath, lethargy, and chest pain.

Freshwater drownings are far more common than saltwater drownings. Fresh water usually results in surfactant loss, and hence, producing areas of atelectasis. Saltwater aspiration, on the other hand, results in pulmonary edema due to the osmotic effects of the salt within the lung.

Nursing Care Plans

Therapeutic goals for a client who has nearly drowned include providing adequate oxygenation, maintaining a patent airway, maintaining cerebral perfusion, continuous monitoring, providing rewarming methods, and absence of complications.

Here are five (5) nursing care plans and nursing diagnosis (NDx) for near-drowning: 

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  1. Impaired Gas Exchange
  2. Ineffective Cerebral Tissue Perfusion
  3. Deficient/Excess Fluid Volume
  4. Risk for Infection
  5. Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output

3. Deficient/ Excess Fluid Volume

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Deficient/ Excess Fluid Volume

Nursing Diagnosis

May be related to

  • Deficit
    • Saltwater aspiration
    • Fluid shift from intravascular to interstitial space
  • Excess
    • Freshwater aspiration
    • Fluid shift from interstitial to intravascular space

Possibly evidenced by

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  • Deficit
    • Dark colored urine
    • Decreased urine output less than 30 ml per hour
    • Decreased blood pressure
    • Hemoconcentration
    • Increase heart rate
  • Excess
    • Decreased hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
    • Distention of jugular vein
    • Increased blood pressure
    • Increased central venous pressure (CVP)
    • Weight gain over a short period

Desired Outcomes

  • Client will maintain adequate fluid volume, as evidenced by urine output greater than 30 ml per hour, normotensive blood pressure, and heart rate less than 100 beats per minute.
Nursing InterventionsRationale
Assess for any changes in weight.Body weight is a more sensitive indicator of fluid volume status than intake and output. 2.2 pounds of weight gain is equivalent to 1 liter of fluid.
Assess client’s intake and output; Monitor urine specific gravity.Although total fluid intake may be sufficient, shifting of fluid out of the intravascular and into the extravascular spaces may lead to dehydration and decrease output. Specific gravity measurement provides information on the degree of fluid concentration or dilution.
Assess for crackles and shortness of breath.These signs are caused by fluid accumulation in the lungs. However, the presence of crackles on auscultation or pulmonary congestion on x-ray film may not indicate fluid overload if the client has a saltwater aspiration, which pulls water from the circulation into the alveoli.
Note for any changes in heart rate and blood pressure.Freshwater aspiration entering the circulation will expand the blood volume and increase HR and BP
Assess for distended neck veins.Clients with expanded volume will exhibit elevated CVP and distended neck veins.
Monitor client’s laboratory values, as ordered:
  • Hematocrit
This assessment determines the level of hemodilution or concentration.
  • Sodium
Dehydration is a hyperosmolar state in which serum sodium levels rise. Serum sodium levels decline with hemodilution.
  • Potassium
Hypokalemia may result from the increase in urinary output.
  • Blood ph
Acidosis and alkalosis require correction. Specific change guide the treatment approach.
Monitor the client’s central venous pressure.This direct measurement serves as an optimal guide for therapy. Severe hypovolemia will cause decreasing CVP, indicating the need for volume expanders. Fluid excess increases CVP.
Assist the physician with the insertion of a central venous line and arterial line as ordered.These measures allow for more effective fluid administration and facilitate hemodynamic monitoring.
Administer IV fluids as ordered.Fluids are given to maintain hydration status in clients with a fluid deficit.
Administer fluid volume expanders as ordered.Volume expanders are the intravenous fluid solutions that are used to increase or retain the volume of fluid in the circulating blood. It can also correct fluid imbalances.
Administer sodium bicarbonate as ordered.Metabolic acidosis is corrected by the administration of sodium bicarbonate.
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3. Deficient/ Excess Fluid Volume

Recommended Resources

Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.

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See Also

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Paul Martin, BSN, R.N.
Paul Martin is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing since 2007. Having worked as a medical-surgical nurse for five years, he handled different kinds of patients and learned how to provide individualized care to them. Now, his experiences working in the hospital is carried over to his writings to help aspiring students achieve their goals. He is currently working as a nursing instructor and have a particular interest in nursing management, emergency care, critical care, infection control, and public health. As a writer at Nurseslabs, his goal is to impart his clinical knowledge and skills to students and nurses helping them become the best version of themselves and ultimately make an impact in uplifting the nursing profession.
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