Endocrine & Metabolic: 21 Nursing Care Plans
Hormonal, nutritional, fluid, acid-base and electrolyte care plans. Every plan below follows the ADPIE format — assessment cues, priority nursing diagnoses, measurable goals, interventions with rationales and patient teaching.
Quick answer
Endocrine & Metabolic care plans cover 21 conditions, most commonly diagnosed with risk for electrolyte imbalance, decreased cardiac output, risk for injury, deficient fluid volume. Use each plan for clinical paperwork, ATI and NCLEX-style review, and bedside prioritization.
Most common nursing diagnoses in endocrine & metabolic
All endocrine & metabolic nursing care plans
Addison's Disease Nursing Care Plan
Adrenal insufficiency causing hypotension, hyponatremia and fatigue; steroid replacement and crisis prevention.
Nursing diagnoses: Deficient fluid volume, Activity intolerance, Risk for injury
5 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planCalcium Imbalances Nursing Care Plan
Hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia; watch tetany, arrhythmias, fracture risk and seizure precautions.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for electrolyte imbalance, Risk for injury, Decreased cardiac output
5 intervention sets · 6 goals · 7 teaching points
Read the care planCushing's Disease Nursing Care Plan
Cortisol excess with fluid retention, fragile skin, hyperglycemia and infection risk.
Nursing diagnoses: Excess fluid volume, Risk for infection, Disturbed body image, Risk for injury
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planDiabetes Mellitus (Type 1 & 2) Nursing Care Plan
Chronic hyperglycemia care: glucose monitoring, insulin/oral agents, diet, foot care and complication prevention.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for unstable blood glucose, Deficient knowledge, Risk for impaired skin integrity, Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion
6 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planDiabetic Ketoacidosis & HHNS Nursing Care Plan
Acute hyperglycemic emergencies needing fluids, insulin infusion and potassium replacement.
Nursing diagnoses: Deficient fluid volume, Risk for electrolyte imbalance, Risk for unstable blood glucose
5 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planEating Disorders (Anorexia & Bulimia) Nursing Care Plan
Restrictive or purging behaviors; refeeding safety, electrolyte monitoring and body-image therapy.
Nursing diagnoses: Imbalanced nutrition, Disturbed body image, Ineffective coping, Risk for electrolyte imbalance
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planFluid Volume Deficit (Dehydration) Nursing Care Plan
Loss of intravascular volume; replacement therapy with intake/output and perfusion monitoring.
Nursing diagnoses: Deficient fluid volume, Decreased cardiac output, Risk for electrolyte imbalance
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planFluid Volume Excess (Hypervolemia) Nursing Care Plan
Fluid overload with edema and crackles; diuresis, sodium restriction and daily weights.
Nursing diagnoses: Excess fluid volume, Impaired gas exchange, Risk for impaired skin integrity
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planGestational Diabetes Mellitus Nursing Care Plan
Pregnancy-onset glucose intolerance; diet, monitoring and fetal surveillance.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for unstable blood glucose, Risk for fetal injury, Deficient knowledge
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planHyperthyroidism Nursing Care Plan
Excess thyroid hormone causing tachycardia, weight loss and heat intolerance; storm prevention.
Nursing diagnoses: Decreased cardiac output, Imbalanced nutrition, Disturbed sleep pattern
7 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planHypothyroidism Nursing Care Plan
Low thyroid hormone with fatigue, cold intolerance and constipation; replacement therapy teaching.
Nursing diagnoses: Fatigue, Constipation, Risk for imbalanced body temperature
6 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planImbalanced Nutrition (Malnutrition) Nursing Care Plan
Intake below metabolic needs; calorie counts, supplements and dietitian collaboration.
Nursing diagnoses: Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements, Fatigue, Risk for infection
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planMagnesium Imbalances Nursing Care Plan
Hyper- and hypomagnesemia affecting reflexes, respirations and cardiac rhythm.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for electrolyte imbalance, Decreased cardiac output, Risk for injury
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planMetabolic Acidosis Nursing Care Plan
Low pH and bicarbonate from DKA, renal failure or diarrhea; treat the cause and monitor potassium.
Nursing diagnoses: Impaired gas exchange, Risk for electrolyte imbalance, Decreased cardiac output
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planMetabolic Alkalosis Nursing Care Plan
High pH and bicarbonate from vomiting, suction or diuretics; replace chloride and potassium.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for electrolyte imbalance, Deficient fluid volume, Risk for injury
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planObesity & Overweight Nursing Care Plan
Excess adiposity; behavioral, dietary and activity interventions plus comorbidity screening.
Nursing diagnoses: Imbalanced nutrition: more than body requirements, Activity intolerance, Disturbed body image
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planPotassium Imbalances Nursing Care Plan
Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia with high arrhythmia risk; ECG and replacement safety rules.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for electrolyte imbalance, Decreased cardiac output, Activity intolerance
5 intervention sets · 5 goals · 7 teaching points
Read the care planRespiratory Acidosis Nursing Care Plan
CO2 retention from hypoventilation; airway support, ventilation and cause reversal.
Nursing diagnoses: Impaired gas exchange, Ineffective breathing pattern, Acute confusion
4 intervention sets · 5 goals · 7 teaching points
Read the care planRespiratory Alkalosis Nursing Care Plan
Excess CO2 loss from hyperventilation; anxiety control and rebreathing techniques.
Nursing diagnoses: Ineffective breathing pattern, Anxiety, Risk for electrolyte imbalance
5 intervention sets · 5 goals · 7 teaching points
Read the care planSodium Imbalances Nursing Care Plan
Hypernatremia and hyponatremia; correct slowly to avoid neurologic injury.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for electrolyte imbalance, Acute confusion, Deficient fluid volume
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planUnstable Blood Glucose Nursing Care Plan
Swings between hyper- and hypoglycemia; sick-day rules and rapid treatment protocols.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for unstable blood glucose, Deficient knowledge, Risk for injury
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planNursing priorities across these plans
- Addison's Disease: Recognize and treat addisonian crisis immediately if it occurs.
- Calcium Imbalances: Monitor cardiac rhythm and neuromuscular status closely in both hypo- and hypercalcemia.
- Cushing's Disease: Prevent and detect infection early.
- Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 & 2): Stabilize blood glucose and treat hypoglycemia or hyperglycemic crisis immediately.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis & HHNS: Restore circulating volume and tissue perfusion with isotonic fluid.
- Eating Disorders (Anorexia & Bulimia): Stabilize cardiac status, electrolytes and hydration.
- Fluid Volume Deficit (Dehydration): Restore circulating volume and tissue perfusion.
- Fluid Volume Excess (Hypervolemia): Restore fluid balance and relieve dyspnea.
Exams that test this content
Common questions
What are the most common nursing diagnoses in Endocrine & Metabolic care plans?
The nursing diagnoses that repeat most often across our 21 endocrine & metabolic care plans are: Risk for electrolyte imbalance; Decreased cardiac output; Risk for injury; Deficient fluid volume; Risk for unstable blood glucose; Activity intolerance.
Which endocrine & metabolic nursing care plans should a student know?
Start with Addison's Disease, Calcium Imbalances, Cushing's Disease, Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 & 2), Diabetic Ketoacidosis & HHNS, Eating Disorders (Anorexia & Bulimia), Fluid Volume Deficit (Dehydration), Fluid Volume Excess (Hypervolemia). Each plan lists assessment cues, priority diagnoses, measurable goals, interventions with rationales and patient teaching.
How many endocrine & metabolic care plans are in this library?
21 care plans, all free to read and written in the ADPIE format used in nursing school and on ATI and NCLEX-style questions.