Mental Health & Psychiatric: 10 Nursing Care Plans
Psychiatric and behavioral health nursing care plans. Every plan below follows the ADPIE format — assessment cues, priority nursing diagnoses, measurable goals, interventions with rationales and patient teaching.
Quick answer
Mental Health & Psychiatric care plans cover 10 conditions, most commonly diagnosed with ineffective coping, anxiety, imbalanced nutrition, impaired social interaction. Use each plan for clinical paperwork, ATI and NCLEX-style review, and bedside prioritization.
Most common nursing diagnoses in mental health & psychiatric
All mental health & psychiatric nursing care plans
Aggression & Risk for Violence Nursing Care Plan
De-escalation, environmental control and least-restrictive interventions.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for other-directed violence, Ineffective impulse control, Anxiety
6 intervention sets · 5 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planAnxiety & Panic Disorders Nursing Care Plan
Excess worry or panic episodes; grounding, calm environment, therapy and medication teaching.
Nursing diagnoses: Anxiety, Ineffective coping, Disturbed sleep pattern
7 intervention sets · 6 goals · 7 teaching points
Read the care planBipolar Disorder Nursing Care Plan
Mood cycling between mania and depression; safety, sleep, nutrition and lithium monitoring.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for injury, Disturbed thought process, Imbalanced nutrition, Impaired social interaction
5 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planMajor Depressive Disorder Nursing Care Plan
Persistent low mood and anhedonia; suicide screening, activity scheduling and adherence.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for suicide, Hopelessness, Situational low self-esteem, Imbalanced nutrition
6 intervention sets · 7 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planObsessive-Compulsive Disorder Nursing Care Plan
Intrusive thoughts and rituals; structured routine, exposure therapy support and anxiety control.
Nursing diagnoses: Anxiety, Ineffective coping, Impaired social interaction
4 intervention sets · 5 goals · 6 teaching points
Read the care planPersonality Disorders Nursing Care Plan
Consistent limit-setting, team splitting prevention and therapeutic boundaries.
Nursing diagnoses: Ineffective coping, Impaired social interaction, Risk for self-mutilation
4 intervention sets · 5 goals · 6 teaching points
Read the care planPost-Traumatic Stress Disorder Nursing Care Plan
Trauma re-experiencing and hyperarousal; trauma-informed care and coping skill building.
Nursing diagnoses: Post-trauma syndrome, Anxiety, Disturbed sleep pattern
5 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planSchizophrenia & Psychosis Nursing Care Plan
Hallucinations, delusions and disorganization; reality orientation, safety and antipsychotic teaching.
Nursing diagnoses: Disturbed sensory perception, Disturbed thought process, Risk for other-directed violence, Self-care deficit
6 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planSubstance Use & Withdrawal Nursing Care Plan
Dependence and detox care with withdrawal scoring, seizure precautions and relapse prevention.
Nursing diagnoses: Ineffective coping, Risk for injury, Imbalanced nutrition, Ineffective denial
4 intervention sets · 5 goals · 6 teaching points
Read the care planSuicidal Ideation & Self-Harm Nursing Care Plan
Risk assessment, one-to-one observation, environmental safety and safety planning.
Nursing diagnoses: Risk for suicide, Hopelessness, Ineffective coping
4 intervention sets · 5 goals · 6 teaching points
Read the care planNursing priorities across these plans
- Aggression & Risk for Violence: Assess for warning signs of escalating agitation continuously.
- Anxiety & Panic Disorders: Rule out physiologic causes before treating the presentation as psychological.
- Bipolar Disorder: Ensure immediate physical safety during acute mania or depressive suicidality.
- Major Depressive Disorder: Establish and maintain physical safety from self-harm.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Reduce anxiety to a workable level while protecting dignity.
- Personality Disorders: Maintain safety from self-harm and harm to others.
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Assess for suicidal ideation, self-harm, and safety risk at every encounter.
- Schizophrenia & Psychosis: Maintain safety for the patient, other patients and staff during acute psychosis.
Exams that test this content
Common questions
What are the most common nursing diagnoses in Mental Health & Psychiatric care plans?
The nursing diagnoses that repeat most often across our 10 mental health & psychiatric care plans are: Ineffective coping; Anxiety; Imbalanced nutrition; Impaired social interaction; Disturbed sleep pattern; Disturbed thought process.
Which mental health & psychiatric nursing care plans should a student know?
Start with Aggression & Risk for Violence, Anxiety & Panic Disorders, Bipolar Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Personality Disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Schizophrenia & Psychosis. Each plan lists assessment cues, priority diagnoses, measurable goals, interventions with rationales and patient teaching.
How many mental health & psychiatric care plans are in this library?
10 care plans, all free to read and written in the ADPIE format used in nursing school and on ATI and NCLEX-style questions.