Gastrointestinal: 15 Nursing Care Plans
Digestive tract, liver, pancreas and elimination care plans. Every plan below follows the ADPIE format — assessment cues, priority nursing diagnoses, measurable goals, interventions with rationales and patient teaching.
Quick answer
Gastrointestinal care plans cover 15 conditions, most commonly diagnosed with acute pain, imbalanced nutrition, deficient fluid volume, deficient knowledge. Use each plan for clinical paperwork, ATI and NCLEX-style review, and bedside prioritization.
Most common nursing diagnoses in gastrointestinal
All gastrointestinal nursing care plans
Bowel Incontinence Nursing Care Plan
Involuntary stool passage; bowel training, skin protection and dignity-preserving care.
Nursing diagnoses: Bowel incontinence, Risk for impaired skin integrity, Situational low self-esteem
5 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planCholecystitis & Cholelithiasis Nursing Care Plan
Gallbladder inflammation/stones; pain control, low-fat diet and surgical preparation.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Imbalanced nutrition, Risk for deficient fluid volume
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planConstipation Nursing Care Plan
Infrequent, hard stools; fiber, fluids, activity and safe laxative use.
Nursing diagnoses: Constipation, Acute pain, Deficient knowledge
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planDiarrhea Nursing Care Plan
Frequent loose stools with fluid and electrolyte loss; replacement and perianal skin care.
Nursing diagnoses: Diarrhea, Deficient fluid volume, Impaired skin integrity
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planGastroenteritis Nursing Care Plan
Infectious GI inflammation; rehydration, isolation precautions and diet advancement.
Nursing diagnoses: Deficient fluid volume, Diarrhea, Risk for infection transmission
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planGERD Nursing Care Plan
Reflux of gastric contents; positioning, meal timing, weight and acid-suppression teaching.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Risk for aspiration, Imbalanced nutrition
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planHepatitis Nursing Care Plan
Liver inflammation; rest, nutrition, transmission precautions and hepatotoxin avoidance.
Nursing diagnoses: Fatigue, Imbalanced nutrition, Risk for infection transmission
6 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planInflammatory Bowel Disease Nursing Care Plan
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; flare control, nutrition and steroid/biologic teaching.
Nursing diagnoses: Diarrhea, Acute pain, Imbalanced nutrition, Risk for deficient fluid volume
6 intervention sets · 6 goals · 7 teaching points
Read the care planIntussusception Nursing Care Plan
Telescoped bowel in infants; urgent recognition of currant-jelly stools and obstruction.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Deficient fluid volume, Risk for injury
5 intervention sets · 5 goals · 5 teaching points
Read the care planLiver Cirrhosis Nursing Care Plan
End-stage liver scarring with ascites, varices and encephalopathy risk.
Nursing diagnoses: Excess fluid volume, Risk for bleeding, Acute confusion, Imbalanced nutrition
6 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planNausea & Vomiting Nursing Care Plan
Symptom control with antiemetics, hydration, oral care and trigger avoidance.
Nursing diagnoses: Nausea, Deficient fluid volume, Imbalanced nutrition
5 intervention sets · 5 goals · 6 teaching points
Read the care planPancreatitis Nursing Care Plan
Pancreatic inflammation; NPO rest, severe pain control and fluid resuscitation.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Deficient fluid volume, Imbalanced nutrition, Risk for infection
6 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planPeptic Ulcer Disease Nursing Care Plan
Mucosal ulceration; pain relief, H. pylori therapy and bleeding surveillance.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Risk for bleeding, Deficient knowledge
6 intervention sets · 5 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planPeritonitis Nursing Care Plan
Peritoneal infection needing antibiotics, fluid support and abdominal assessment.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Deficient fluid volume, Risk for infection, Hyperthermia
5 intervention sets · 5 goals · 5 teaching points
Read the care planUmbilical & Inguinal Hernia Nursing Care Plan
Protrusion through the abdominal wall; strangulation watch and post-repair teaching.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Risk for injury, Deficient knowledge
5 intervention sets · 5 goals · 6 teaching points
Read the care planNursing priorities across these plans
- Bowel Incontinence: Identify and treat reversible causes, especially fecal impaction.
- Cholecystitis & Cholelithiasis: Relieve biliary colic pain.
- Constipation: Establish the patient's normal bowel pattern and current deviation.
- Diarrhea: Restore and maintain fluid and electrolyte balance.
- Gastroenteritis: Assess and correct dehydration.
- GERD: Relieve heartburn and protect the esophageal mucosa.
- Hepatitis: Prevent transmission to household contacts, partners and health care workers.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Replace fluid and electrolyte losses from diarrhea.
Exams that test this content
Common questions
What are the most common nursing diagnoses in Gastrointestinal care plans?
The nursing diagnoses that repeat most often across our 15 gastrointestinal care plans are: Acute pain; Imbalanced nutrition; Deficient fluid volume; Deficient knowledge; Diarrhea; Risk for bleeding.
Which gastrointestinal nursing care plans should a student know?
Start with Bowel Incontinence, Cholecystitis & Cholelithiasis, Constipation, Diarrhea, Gastroenteritis, GERD, Hepatitis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Each plan lists assessment cues, priority diagnoses, measurable goals, interventions with rationales and patient teaching.
How many gastrointestinal care plans are in this library?
15 care plans, all free to read and written in the ADPIE format used in nursing school and on ATI and NCLEX-style questions.