Read the instruction sheet, Nursing Care Plan – Traditional Format (opens new window). The care plan is one that reflects a patient (Mrs. R.) who is to have Vaginal Hysterectomy surgery and you are her nurse. The nursing care plan is presented in a traditional format. Learning activity 2 presents the same care plan in a concept map format.

Interact with the the instruction sheet, Nursing Care Plan – Concept Map Format (opens new window). The care plan is one that reflects a patient (Mrs. R.) who is to have Vaginal Hysterectomy surgery, and you are her nurse. The nursing care plan is presented in a concept map format. Consider using this format to study this content.

Independent Assignment – You are asked to use learned information about the nursing process and create a nursing care plan. The following case study (opens new window) includes information about a perioperative patient who is to have cholecystectomy surgery.

Use the information to formulate a care plan in either the traditional format (see learning activity 1) or concept mapping format (see learning activity 2). You are asked to submit the completed nursing care plan to the course facilitator using email. The due date for this assignment is the end of the second week of the course delivery. Use the resource Rothrock (2003) and previously assigned reading assignments to complete the assignment. Questions or concerns about your ability to complete the assignment must be communicated to the course facilitator prior to the assignment due date.

The ability to complete a nursing care plan for a perioperative patient is fundamental to the successful completion of the perioperative nursing practice component of the program. Seek to develop a sound understanding of the process at this time, and you will be fully prepared to attend to perioperative clinical practice.