The registered psychiatric nurse develops a specific psychiatric nursing care plan for each individual.

Rationale:
A documented plan of care based on thorough and on-going assessment is needed to assure the implementation of individualized interventions and to provide a guide for continuity of care.

Audit Factors:

1. Involves the individual and others deemed appropriate in planning goals and interventions.
2. States individual-centered objectives in behavioral terms and includes desired goals.
3. Identifies available resources.
4. Considers a variety of possible nursing actions.
5. Selects those nursing actions most likely to assist the individual to meet objectives.
6. Records the psychiatric nursing care plan.