Activity Intolerance Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Care Plan - NurseStudy.Net (2024)

Activity Intolerance Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Care Plan - NurseStudy.Net (1)

Activity Intolerance Nursing Care Plans Diagnosis and Interventions

Activity Intolerance NCLEX Review and Nursing Care Plans

An Activity Intolerance nursing diagnosis that can be used when a person has difficulty completing activities due to fatigue, pain, or breathlessness. Activity intolerance may also occur when an individual has difficulty mobilizing due to weakness or stiffness.

Nursing interventions for activity intolerance include providing rest periods, teaching about pacing oneself, and providing support and assistance with activities as needed.

Nanda nursing diagnosis defines activity intolerance as a state in which a person is unable to produce enough physical or mental energy to complete one or more activities of daily living (ADLs).

Related Factors to Activity Intolerance

There are several factors that may affect an individual’s tolerance to activity. These include:

  • Advanced age
  • Mental status such as: depression, lack of motivation, cognitive deficiency, severe stress
  • Generalized weakness
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Deconditioned state
  • Inadequate sleep / rest
  • Immobility
  • Extended bed rest or imposed activity restriction
  • Muscular problems
  • More oxygen demand than supply
  • Pain

Signs and Symptoms of Activity Intolerance

Activity Intolerance can be characterized by the following signs and symptoms:

  • Generalized body weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath upon exertion or during activity
  • Verbalization of unusual discomfort when doing ADLs
  • Inability to perform basic activities such as brushing teeth and going to the toilet
  • Blood pressure and/or heart rate changes during activity

Activity Intolerance Nursing Diagnosis

Activity Intolerance Nursing Care Plan 1

Infective Endocarditis

Nursing Diagnosis: Activity intolerance related to pulmonary insufficiency secondary to infective endocarditis as evidenced by fatigue during activity, shortness of breath upon exertion, generalized body weakness, and oxygen desaturation to less than 94% after activity

Desired Outcome: The patient will demonstrate active participation in necessary and desired activities and demonstrate increase in activity levels.

Activity Intolerance Nursing InterventionsRationales
Assess and monitor the cardiopulmonary status of the patient by checking the vital signs before and after and activity. Include monitoring of orthostatic blood pressure.Normally, the adult heart rate does not increase more than 20 – 30 beats per minute on top of the resting heart rate. Elderly patients may have orthostatic hypotension when changing positions or doing activities, which can be evidenced by dizziness or increased weakness.
Assess the patient’s oxygen saturation during activity using a portable pulse oximeter.A portable pulse oximeter is helpful in determining the body’s need for supplemental oxygen to help the patient cope with increased oxygen demand when performing activities of daily living or exercise.
Observe the patient’s response to activity and document in an Activity Chart.An Activity chart can help show trends on a patient’s tolerance to performing ADLs or exercise, such as duration, need for supplemental oxygenation, support from staff, or pain medication.
Teach the patient to gradually do more active range of motion (ROM) exercises while in bed. Start with sitting from the bed into the chair for 30 mins, standing and walking for a minute or two, and sitting again.It is important to promote ROM exercises to prevent muscular decline and improve energy levels. However, this must be done gradually to prevent overexertion.
Encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercise at least 3 times a day.Deep breathing exercises, also known as thoracic expansion exercises, help in increasing lung volumes and moving any phlegm from the lower lobes of the lungs upwards to be effectively coughed out.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Care Plan 2

Fracture

Nursing Diagnosis: Activity intolerance related to neuromuscular skeletal impairment and limb immobilization secondary to hip fracture as evidenced by limited range of motion (ROM), decreased muscular strength, pain upon movement, and imposed restrictions due to the required restrictive therapy.

Desired Outcome: The patient will demonstrate active participation in necessary and desired activities and demonstrate increase in activity levels.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Interventions Rationales
Assess the patient’s degree of immobility due to the restrictive therapy for the fracture. Monitor for other factors that affect activity intolerance such as pain and muscular weakness, during activity.Immobility due to the therapy is the main reason for the patient’s activity intolerance, but he/she might also require pain medications or support from nursing staff to perform ADLs.
Encourage the patient to perform active and passive ROM exercises for all muscle groups. Assist the patient as needed.ROM exercises help increase blood flow to bones and muscles. In turn, this improves muscular tone and preserves joint mobility while preventing muscular atrophy and contracture formation.
Teach the patient about isometric exercises to be done with the unaffected limbs.Isometric exercises work by contracting muscles without having to move the whole limb or bend the joints. Isometrics help in maintaining muscular mass and strength. It is important to note not to perform them on the affected limb or any area with acute bleeding or edema.
Encourage the patient to use the trapeze and post position as needed.The trapeze can help the patient move on the bed during skin care, hygiene, or linen changes.
Refer the patient to physical therapy/ occupational therapy/ rehabilitation team.A physical therapist can work with the patient and the rest of the team in creating a customized exercise regimen to help the patient gradually progress in tolerating daily activities. An occupational therapist and rehabilitation specialist can help the patient get back to his/her normal activities of daily living, or at least achieve the optimal performance of such activities, depending on the degree of injury and result of treatments.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Care Plan 3

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Nursing Diagnosis: Activity intolerance related to imbalance between oxygen supply and demand secondary to COPD as evidenced by fatigue, overwhelming lack of energy, verbalization of tiredness, generalized weakness, and shortness of breath upon exertion

Desired Outcome: The patient will demonstrate active participation in necessary and desired activities and demonstrate increase in activity levels.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Interventions Rationales
Assess the patient’s activities of daily living, as well as actual and perceived limitations to physical activity. Ask for any form of exercise that he/she used to do or wants to try.To create a baseline of activity levels and mental status related to fatigue and activity intolerance.
Encourage progressive activity through self-care and exercise as tolerated. Explain the need to reduce sedentary activities such as watching television and using social media in long periods. Alternate periods of physical activity with 60-90 minutes of undisturbed rest.To gradually increase the patient’s tolerance to physical activity. To prevent exacerbation of COPD by allowing the patient to pace activity versus rest.
Teach deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. Provide adequate ventilation in the room.To allow the patient to relax while at rest and to facilitate effective stress management. To allow enough oxygenation in the room.
Refer the patient to physiotherapy / occupational therapy team as required.To provide a more specialized care for the patient in terms of helping him/her build confidence in increasing daily physical activity.
Educate the patient on energy conservation techniques, which include:Working or moving at an even pacePushing rather than pullingSliding rather than pullingSitting to perform some tasksUsing aids such as wheeled carts for shopping, laundry, and carrying thingsPositioning frequently used items within reachResting for about an hour or two post-meals before doing an activityEnergy conservation techniques help reduce the body’s demand for oxygen, which allows the patient to accomplish more ADLs.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Care Plan 4

Alzheimer’s Disease

Nursing Diagnosis: Activity intolerance related to cognitive and perceptual impairment as evidenced by inability to move at will, inability to bear weight, muscular weakness, gait disturbances, moments of immobility, decreased fine and gross motor movement, and balance and coordination deficits.

Desired Outcome: The patient will demonstrate active participation in necessary and desired activities and demonstrate increase in activity levels.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Interventions Rationales
Assess the patient’s functional ability in terms of mobility and tolerance to activity. Assess for cognitive impairment that affects activity intolerance. Monitor for other factors that affect activity intolerance such as pain and muscular weakness, during activity.Immobility due to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease is the main reason for the patient’s activity intolerance, but he/she might also require pain medications or support from nursing staff to perform ADLs.
Encourage the patient to perform active and passive ROM exercises for all muscle groups. Assist the patient as needed.ROM exercises help increase blood flow to bones and muscles. In turn, this improves muscular tone and preserves joint mobility while preventing muscular atrophy and contracture formation.
Assist the patient in performing ADLs by providing simple and easy-to-understand instructions.Simple instructions can help the patient with AD to perform a task successfully with little to no help from a caregiver. There might be a need to repeat instructions.
Provide enough time for the patient to perform each activity.It is important not to rush the patient to avoid triggering disturbed thought or confusion.
Refer the patient to physical therapy/ occupational therapy/ rehabilitation team.A physical therapist can work with the patient and the rest of the team in creating a customized exercise regimen to help the patient gradually progress in tolerating daily activities. An occupational therapist can help the patient to achieve the optimal performance of such activities.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Care Plan 5

Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) or Stroke

Nursing Diagnosis: Activity intolerance related to neuromuscular skeletal impairment secondary to stroke as evidenced by limited range of motion (ROM), and decreased muscular strength.

Desired Outcome: The patient will demonstrate active participation in necessary and desired activities and demonstrate increase in activity levels.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Interventions Rationales
Assess the patient’s activities of daily living, as well as actual and perceived limitations to physical activity. Ask for any form of exercise that he/she used to do or wants to try.To create a baseline of activity levels and mental status related to fatigue and activity intolerance.
Encourage the patient to perform active and passive ROM exercises for all muscle groups. Assist the patient as needed.ROM exercises help increase blood flow to bones and muscles. In turn, this improves muscular tone and preserves joint mobility while preventing muscular atrophy and contracture formation.
Teach deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. Provide adequate ventilation in the room.To allow the patient to relax while at rest and to facilitate effective stress management. To allow enough oxygenation in the room.
Provide adaptive equipment for the patient to use in performing ADLs.Stroke patients can benefit from using adaptive aids to help them gain independence in performing self-care tasks and reducing energy consumed while doing ADLs.
Encourage progressive activity through self-care and exercise as tolerated. Alternate periods of physical activity with 60-90 minutes of undisturbed rest.To gradually increase the patient’s tolerance to physical activity.
Refer the patient to physical therapy/ occupational therapy/ rehabilitation team.A physical therapist can work with the patient and the rest of the team in creating a customized exercise regimen to help the patient gradually progress in tolerating daily activities. An occupational therapist and rehabilitation specialist can help the patient to achieve the optimal performance of such activities.

Nursing References

Ackley, B. J., Ladwig, G. B., Makic, M. B., Martinez-Kratz, M. R., & Zanotti, M. (2020).Nursing diagnoses handbook: An evidence-based guide to planning care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon

Gulanick, M., & Myers, J. L. (2022).Nursing care plans: Diagnoses, interventions, & outcomes. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon

Ignatavicius, D. D., Workman, M. L., Rebar, C. R., & Heimgartner, N. M. (2020).Medical-surgical nursing: Concepts for interprofessional collaborative care. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon

Silvestri, L. A. (2020).Saunders comprehensive review for the NCLEX-RN examination. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. Buy on Amazon

Disclaimer:

Please follow your facilities guidelines and policies and procedures.

The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes.

This information is not intended to be nursing education and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.

Activity Intolerance Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Care Plan - NurseStudy.Net (2)
Activity Intolerance Nursing Diagnosis and Nursing Care Plan - NurseStudy.Net (2024)

FAQs

What is the nursing diagnosis for activity intolerance? ›

Nanda nursing diagnosis defines activity intolerance as a state in which a person is unable to produce enough physical or mental energy to complete one or more activities of daily living (ADLs).

Why is activity intolerance a priority nursing diagnosis? ›

Activity intolerance can be described as insufficient physiological or psychological energy to complete required or desired daily activities. Activity intolerance is a common side effect of heart failure and can be related to generalized weakness and difficulty resting and sleeping.

What is the nursing goal for activity intolerance? ›

Have the patient perform the activity more slowly, in a longer time with more rest or pauses, or with assistance if necessary. Helps in increasing the tolerance for the activity. Gradually increase activity with active range-of-motion exercises in bed, increasing to sitting and then standing.

What is Nursestudy net? ›

Brief overview of clinical information for nurse. Over 1000 FREE Nursing Disnosis Care Plans https://nursestudy.net Includes pathophysiology and medication information. We offer NCLEX and nursing school testing questions with rationales for nurses and nursing students. Pathophysiology and nursing care plan tutorials.

What is Nanda approved nursing diagnosis? ›

A nursing diagnosis is defined by NANDA International (2013) as a clinical judgment concerning a human response to health conditions/life processes, or vulnerability for that response, by an individual, family, group, or community.

How do you write a nursing diagnosis? ›

A nursing diagnosis has typically three components: (1) the problem and its definition, (2) the etiology, and (3) the defining characteristics or risk factors (for risk diagnosis). BUILDING BLOCKS OF A DIAGNOSTIC STATEMENT. Components of an NDx may include problem, etiology, risk factors, and defining characteristics.

How do you prioritize nursing diagnosis? ›

By evaluating the patient and their diagnoses systematically and logically, considering multiple perspectives, even a rookie nurse can identify which matters merit nursing priority attention. The first step in the prioritization process is to gather all the relevant information.

What are the nursing interventions to promote activity and exercise? ›

Nursing Interventions/Implementation
  • Identify the prescribed activity level.
  • Continue to assess strength and joint mobility.
  • Perform physical mobility activities in conjunction with daily care.
  • Provide good body alignment and frequent position changes. ...
  • Avoid unnecessary restraint that limits physical mobility.
Jul 11, 2016

What is risk for activity intolerance? ›

risk for activity intolerance a nursing diagnosis accepted by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, defined as the state in which an individual is at risk of having insufficient physiological or psychological energy to endure or complete required daily activities.

How can I improve my activity intolerance? ›

Encourage gradual increase of activity as condition improves. Position for optimal comfort and activity tolerance (e.g., sitting for self-care). Monitor physiologic response to activity; adjust accordingly. Provide range of motion actions (active, passive or assistive) per prescribed limitations.

What is meant by activity intolerance? ›

Vulnerable to experiencing insufficient physiological or psychological energy to endure or complete required or desired daily activities, which may compromise health.

How is activity tolerance calculated? ›

Measuring Activity Tolerance for Documentation:
  1. Utilize the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale (this is the most common). ...
  2. Utilize the MET Chart to approximate the energy cost of activities, working your way up from light to moderate (as an example).
Jan 31, 2022

What are 5 nursing diagnosis? ›

The following are nursing diagnoses arising from the nursing literature with varying degrees of authentication by ICNP or NANDA-I standards.
  • Anxiety.
  • Constipation.
  • Pain.
  • Activity Intolerance.
  • Impaired Gas Exchange.
  • Excessive Fluid Volume.
  • Caregiver Role Strain.
  • Ineffective Coping.

Which is the best example of a nursing diagnosis? ›

Which is the best example of a nursing diagnosis? Ineffective Breastfeeding related to latching as evidenced by non-sustained suckling at the breast. The formulation of nursing diagnoses is unique to the nursing profession.

What are the most common nursing diagnosis? ›

What is the most common nursing diagnosis? According to NANDA, some of the most common nursing diagnoses include pain, risk of infection, constipation, and body temperature imbalance.

What is a 3 part nursing diagnosis statement? ›

A three-part statement makes up an actual or problem-focused nursing diagnosis: diagnostic label, contributing factor (“related to”), and signs and symptoms (“as evidenced by” or “as manifested by”).

What are the 4 components of a nursing diagnosis? ›

This type of nursing diagnosis has four components: label, definition, defining characteristics, and related factors. The label should be in clear, concise terms that convey the meaning of the diagnosis.

What is a nursing diagnosis statement? ›

Nursing diagnosis: this a statement that summarizes the clinical judgment of the patient's response to his health condition or life process.

How do you write a nursing care plan? ›

Writing a Nursing Care Plan
  1. Step 1: Data Collection or Assessment. ...
  2. Step 2: Data Analysis and Organization. ...
  3. Step 3: Formulating Your Nursing Diagnoses. ...
  4. Step 4: Setting Priorities. ...
  5. Step 5: Establishing Client Goals and Desired Outcomes. ...
  6. Step 6: Selecting Nursing Interventions. ...
  7. Step 7: Providing Rationale. ...
  8. Step 8: Evaluation.
Jul 9, 2022

What are the 5 priorities of nursing care? ›

The five priorities focus on: recognising that someone is dying; communicating sensitively with them and their family; involving them in decisions; supporting them and their family; and creating an individual plan of care that includes adequate nutrition and hydration.

What are physical activity interventions? ›

Interventions that are focused on the individual usually consist of an assessment of a participant's physical activity and readiness to change, a tailored activity plan, and identification of community interventions through a centralised health provider or promoter.

How can nurses encourage exercise? ›

Promoting an active lifestyle
  1. Nurses don't always have a structured approach in promoting exercise.
  2. Simply talking to patients can make them more aware of their health behaviour.
  3. Motivational interviewing has proven successful in encouraging exercise.
Dec 9, 2016

What is a nursing diagnosis for fatigue? ›

Nursing Diagnosis: Fatigue related to decreased cardiac output secondary to heart as evidenced by overwhelming lack of energy, verbalization of tiredness, generalized body weakness, irregular heartbeat, heart rate of 130, and dyspnea upon exertion.

Can anemia cause activity intolerance? ›

Fatigue brought on by anemia manifests itself in various ways, affecting cognitive capacity and social and emotional well-being. However, the most typical manifestation is activity intolerance.

Which physiological factor would influence a patient's activity tolerance? ›

Pain is the physiological factor that influences a patient's activity tolerance, the response a patient has to the type and amount of exercise he or she is performing.

Is sedentary lifestyle a nursing diagnosis? ›

However, there are few studies involving the sedentary lifestyle as a nursing diagnosis. Moreover, this habit of life is an indicator of health risk and considered a worldwide concern.

What should be assessed when planning patient activities such as walking ROM exercises or ADLs? ›

the type and amount of exercise or work that a person is able to perform. Assessment of activity tolerance is necessary when planning activity such as walking, ROM exercises, or activities of daily living (ADLs). Activity tolerance assessment includes data from physiological, emotional, and developmental domains.

What is a nursing diagnosis for hypertension? ›

Nursing Diagnosis for Hypertension: What Is It? Normal blood pressure is when blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mmHg most of the time. A patient is diagnosed with hypertension, the medical term for high blood pressure, when their blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg most of the time.

What does no activity intolerance mean? ›

activity intolerance a nursing diagnosis accepted by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, defined as a state in which a person has insufficient physiological or psychological energy to endure or complete necessary or desired daily activities.

How do you test for exercise intolerance? ›

An exercise tolerance test (ETT) is a good way to see how your heart behaves during exercise. A nurse will use an electrocardiograph (ECG) to monitor your heart's activity and see how your blood pressure and pulse change during the test. What happens? The entire appointment takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

What is the normal exercise tolerance? ›

A level of up to 225 mm Hg is normal in adults, although athletes can have higher levels. Diastolic blood pressure tends to fall slightly. The aim of the exercise is for the patient to achieve their maximum predicted heart rate.

What is a positive exercise tolerance test? ›

Therefore, if you have a positive ETT (an abnormal reading) you are likely to have coronary heart disease. If you already have coronary heart disease, the degree of abnormality on the ECG tracing from the ETT can give a good idea of the severity of the disease.

What are the nursing interventions to promote activity and exercise? ›

Nursing Interventions/Implementation
  • Identify the prescribed activity level.
  • Continue to assess strength and joint mobility.
  • Perform physical mobility activities in conjunction with daily care.
  • Provide good body alignment and frequent position changes. ...
  • Avoid unnecessary restraint that limits physical mobility.
Jul 11, 2016

Is sedentary lifestyle a nursing diagnosis? ›

However, there are few studies involving the sedentary lifestyle as a nursing diagnosis. Moreover, this habit of life is an indicator of health risk and considered a worldwide concern.

What is meant by activity intolerance? ›

Vulnerable to experiencing insufficient physiological or psychological energy to endure or complete required or desired daily activities, which may compromise health.

What are the signs and symptoms of activity intolerance? ›

Activity Intolerance
  • cyanosis.
  • diaphoresis.
  • dizziness.
  • dysrhythmia.
  • fatigue.
  • generalized weakness.
  • inability to perform BADLs (basic activities of daily living)
  • inability to perform IADLs (instrumental activities of daily living)
Sep 30, 2020

What is risk for activity intolerance? ›

risk for activity intolerance a nursing diagnosis accepted by the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association, defined as the state in which an individual is at risk of having insufficient physiological or psychological energy to endure or complete required daily activities.

What are physical activity interventions? ›

Interventions that are focused on the individual usually consist of an assessment of a participant's physical activity and readiness to change, a tailored activity plan, and identification of community interventions through a centralised health provider or promoter.

How do you prioritize nursing diagnosis? ›

By evaluating the patient and their diagnoses systematically and logically, considering multiple perspectives, even a rookie nurse can identify which matters merit nursing priority attention. The first step in the prioritization process is to gather all the relevant information.

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