Nurses may feel overwhelmed by the amount of patient data they need to process. Therefore, they need a road map to guide them through each step of patient care to understand the diagnosis, symptoms and more in one clear snapshot. Nursing concept map is one of the power tools to help the nurses simplify the most complex cases in a straight easy to follow guide. To understand what nursing concept map is and how it works? Let’s jump in.
What is a Nursing Concept Map?
Nursing concept map is a visual tool that helps nurses to organize the patient diagnosis, information, planning interventions and overall health status of the patients. The key components of the nursing concept map are assessments, diagnosis, interventions, and outcomes.
Different structures of Nursing Concept maps
Nursing concept maps have different structures depending on the patient’s needs and care. Some of the nursing concept maps structure as follows:
- Hierarchical Map
- Spider Map
- Flowchart Map
- System Based Map
- Chronological Map
- Cause and Effect Map
- Circular (wheel) map
Hierarchical map: Organizes information in top to down approach from most general to specific information.
Spider map: The main concept is in the center and the branches radiating outward are the related concepts which look just like a spider web.
Flowchart nursing map: The information is arranged in sequence or step by step manner that looks resembles a flow chart.
System based nursing map: Organized around different body systems such as respiratory and cardiovascular system etc. Each system’s issues and conditions are mapped out. It is ideal for patients with multiple organ systems.
Chronological nursing map: The patient’s information is laid out in a timeline manner, especially in chronic conditions. It lists the information from initial diagnosis to current symptoms of the disease or condition.
Cause and effect nursing map: This type of nursing map highlights how one factor can affect the other. It is ideal for understanding the root cause of patient condition.
Circular (wheel) map: In this type of nursing map the patient’s issue is written in the center with connected segments which are encircled.
How to create a nursing concept map?
Here we will give you step by step guide on how to create a nursing concept map.
- Collect Patient Information: The first step is to collect patient information such as medical history, vital signs, current medication and more. You can use the acronym SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation). This consists of all the information needed.
- Identify the main problem: After collecting the information identify the main problem or condition of the patient. This step also allows the nurses to focus on the issues that need immediate attention.
- Create the central concept: After identifying the main diagnosis, write it down in the center. This will function as the central concept or main diagnosis. For example, Cognitive Heart Failure (CHF).
- Add related sub concepts: Now add the sub concepts related to the main condition such as shortness of breath, fluid retention and fatigue.
- Connect the dots: Connect the dots and draw lines to connect the main concept with the sub concept and use key words. You also add the nursing intervention. For example, for shortness of breath you can add intervention like monitor respiratory rate. For fluid retention add monitor daily weight and restrict fluid intake as prescribed. For fatigue you can add assess energy levels.
- Add expected outcomes: For each intervention includes the expected outcomes, for example for monitoring daily weight you can write that patients have no signs of fluid overload.
- Assessment and adjustment: Continue to assess the patient and add any changes that occur. Adjust the nursing map accordingly.
Example of nursing concept maps for Type 2 diabetes
Here is an example of a nursing concept map for type 2 diabetes.
Medical diagnosis: Type 2 Diabetes
Subsections:
- Assessment
- Diagnostic process
- Current patient history
- Risk factors
- Patient info
- Past medical history
- Medication list
Key information for each sub section
Assessment: Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes was done on the patient’s list of symptoms such as excessive thirst, urination, and fatigue.
Diagnosis process:
- Lab results: The lab results showed the glucose level 180 mg/dL; HbA1c of 8.5%.
- Physical exams: Signs of slightly elevated blood pressure and reduced sensation in feet
Current patient history:
- Day of admission
- Main complaint
Risk factors:
- Family history: Mother is type 2 diabetic.
- Lifestyle and dietary habits: Intake of sugary and processed food is high
Patient information:
- Age: 35
- Sex: Female
- BMI: 32
Past medical history:
- Hypertension
- Previous medication
Medication list:
- Current diabetic medications
- Other medication: 500mg Metformin 2 times a day.
What is the importance of nursing concept map?
The nursing concept map is very useful for the nurses to have a visual image of overall patient health information and status. The uses and benefits of nursing concept maps are as follows:
- Organization of information
- Enhanced critical thinking
- Improved communication
- Care planning
- Understanding the concepts and theories
Conclusion
Nursing concept maps help nurses to organize information visually. With the help of this tool, understanding and managing patient health becomes easy for the nurses. With the help of nursing concept maps nurses can transform overwhelming data and information of the patient into visualized form which helps them to understand complex information about patient health quickly and effectively. This allows the nurses to deliver patient centered care with precision and confidence.
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