Surgery & Perioperative: 13 Nursing Care Plans
Pre-op preparation, intra-op safety and post-op recovery plans. Every plan below follows the ADPIE format — assessment cues, priority nursing diagnoses, measurable goals, interventions with rationales and patient teaching.
Quick answer
Surgery & Perioperative care plans cover 13 conditions, most commonly diagnosed with acute pain, impaired physical mobility, risk for infection, disturbed body image. Use each plan for clinical paperwork, ATI and NCLEX-style review, and bedside prioritization.
Most common nursing diagnoses in surgery & perioperative
All surgery & perioperative nursing care plans
Amputation Nursing Care Plan
Limb loss care covering stump healing, phantom limb pain, prosthesis readiness and body image.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Disturbed body image, Impaired physical mobility, Risk for infection
5 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planAppendectomy Nursing Care Plan
Post-appendix removal care with focus on pain, peritonitis signs and early ambulation.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Risk for infection, Deficient fluid volume
5 intervention sets · 6 goals · 7 teaching points
Read the care planCholecystectomy Nursing Care Plan
Gallbladder removal recovery: drain care, shoulder gas pain, fat-modified diet teaching.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Ineffective breathing pattern, Imbalanced nutrition
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planFracture Nursing Care Plan
Bone injury care from immobilization through healing, watching for compartment syndrome and fat embolism.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Impaired physical mobility, Risk for peripheral neurovascular dysfunction
6 intervention sets · 6 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planHemorrhoids & Hemorrhoidectomy Nursing Care Plan
Anorectal vein care emphasizing pain relief, sitz baths, stool softening and bleeding checks.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Constipation, Risk for bleeding
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planHysterectomy Nursing Care Plan
Uterine surgery recovery covering bleeding, bladder function, sexuality and grief over fertility loss.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Impaired urinary elimination, Grieving, Risk for infection
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planIleostomy & Colostomy Nursing Care Plan
Ostomy care: stoma assessment, peristomal skin, output monitoring and self-care teaching.
Nursing diagnoses: Impaired skin integrity, Disturbed body image, Deficient knowledge, Risk for deficient fluid volume
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planLaminectomy (Disc Surgery) Nursing Care Plan
Spinal surgery care with log-rolling, neurovascular checks and body-mechanics education.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Impaired physical mobility, Risk for injury
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planMastectomy Nursing Care Plan
Breast removal care addressing drains, lymphedema prevention, arm exercises and body image.
Nursing diagnoses: Disturbed body image, Acute pain, Impaired physical mobility, Risk for infection
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planSubtotal Gastrectomy Nursing Care Plan
Partial stomach resection with dumping-syndrome prevention and B12/iron follow-up.
Nursing diagnoses: Imbalanced nutrition, Acute pain, Diarrhea
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planSurgery (Perioperative Client) Nursing Care Plan
General plan spanning informed consent, positioning safety, anesthesia recovery, pain and wound healing.
Nursing diagnoses: Anxiety, Risk for perioperative positioning injury, Acute pain, Risk for infection
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planThyroidectomy Nursing Care Plan
Thyroid removal watch for airway swelling, hemorrhage, hypocalcemia and voice change.
Nursing diagnoses: Ineffective airway clearance, Risk for bleeding, Impaired verbal communication
3 intervention sets · 4 goals · 4 teaching points
Read the care planTotal Joint (Knee, Hip) Replacement Nursing Care Plan
Arthroplasty care with dislocation precautions, VTE prophylaxis and early rehab.
Nursing diagnoses: Acute pain, Impaired physical mobility, Risk for peripheral neurovascular dysfunction
8 intervention sets · 7 goals · 8 teaching points
Read the care planNursing priorities across these plans
- Amputation: Monitor for and immediately manage postoperative hemorrhage.
- Appendectomy: Recognize appendicitis symptoms promptly and avoid interventions that could cause perforation.
- Cholecystectomy: Control pain enough to allow deep breathing and ambulation.
- Fracture: Detect neurovascular compromise and compartment syndrome early.
- Hemorrhoids & Hemorrhoidectomy: Relieve pain and anal sphincter spasm.
- Hysterectomy: Monitor for hemorrhage and vaginal cuff complications.
- Ileostomy & Colostomy: Assess stoma viability and function.
- Laminectomy (Disc Surgery): Detect neurologic deterioration or hematoma early.
Exams that test this content
Common questions
What are the most common nursing diagnoses in Surgery & Perioperative care plans?
The nursing diagnoses that repeat most often across our 13 surgery & perioperative care plans are: Acute pain; Impaired physical mobility; Risk for infection; Disturbed body image; Imbalanced nutrition; Risk for bleeding.
Which surgery & perioperative nursing care plans should a student know?
Start with Amputation, Appendectomy, Cholecystectomy, Fracture, Hemorrhoids & Hemorrhoidectomy, Hysterectomy, Ileostomy & Colostomy, Laminectomy (Disc Surgery). Each plan lists assessment cues, priority diagnoses, measurable goals, interventions with rationales and patient teaching.
How many surgery & perioperative care plans are in this library?
13 care plans, all free to read and written in the ADPIE format used in nursing school and on ATI and NCLEX-style questions.