C5 · Constant tiredness
Actual Comfort and rest
Definition
Ongoing exhaustion that rest does not fix and that limits activity.- Anemia
- cancer
- poor sleep
- depression
- infection
- heart disease
- Exhaustion
- needs to rest
- weakness
- slow thinking
- reduced activity
📋 Scenario
A patient after chemotherapy cannot walk to the bathroom without resting.
Subjective (S): "I'm so tired I can't even walk to the bathroom."
Objective (O): Needs rest after 10 meters; heart rate rises 25 beats on walking; hemoglobin 8.5 g/dL; on chemotherapy.
Assessment tools for this scenario: CP-PAIN Pain & Comfort Score
Validated scales to consider: NRS 0–10, FLACC, PAINAD
**CarePath diagnosis:** Constant tiredness related to anemia, as evidenced by exhaustion and needs to rest.
**Interventions and rationale**
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Plan rest periods. | Planned rest lets the body recover energy so the patient can take part in important activities without becoming exhausted. |
| Space out activities. | Spreading tasks across the day prevents too much effort at one time, which would worsen exhaustion and raise heart rate. |
| Treat causes. | Treating underlying causes such as anemia, as ordered, improves oxygen delivery to the tissues, which is needed to reduce fatigue. |
| Encourage gentle activity. | Gentle activity maintains muscle strength and stamina, while long inactivity itself increases weakness. |
| Teach energy saving. | Energy-saving habits, such as sitting for tasks and doing the most important things first, let the patient manage daily needs with less effort. |
| Check blood tests. | Blood tests such as hemoglobin show whether anemia is improving or worsening and guide treatment. |
**Expected outcomes**
- By day 3: walks to the bathroom with only one rest, lower fatigue score, energy-saving plan in place.
- Patient states 3 energy-saving tips.
**Linking the data to the diagnosis**
After chemotherapy the patient says they are so tired they cannot even walk to the bathroom. The nurse found they need rest after 10 meters, their heart rate rises 25 beats on walking, and hemoglobin is 8.5 g/dL. This fits constant tiredness because the exhaustion is ongoing and limits activity, and anemia is the likely cause. It is an actual diagnosis because the tiredness is present now. The plan aims by day 3 for the patient to walk to the bathroom with only one rest, a lower fatigue score, an energy-saving plan in place, and 3 energy-saving tips stated by the patient.
CarePath diagnosis
Constant tiredness related to anemia, as evidenced by exhaustion and needs to rest.
Interventions and rationale
Listed in priority order.
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 1. Plan rest periods. | Planned rest lets the body recover energy so the patient can take part in important activities without becoming exhausted. |
| 2. Space out activities. | Spreading tasks across the day prevents too much effort at one time, which would worsen exhaustion and raise heart rate. |
| 3. Treat causes. | Treating underlying causes such as anemia, as ordered, improves oxygen delivery to the tissues, which is needed to reduce fatigue. |
| 4. Encourage gentle activity. | Gentle activity maintains muscle strength and stamina, while long inactivity itself increases weakness. |
| 5. Teach energy saving. | Energy-saving habits, such as sitting for tasks and doing the most important things first, let the patient manage daily needs with less effort. |
| 6. Check blood tests. | Blood tests such as hemoglobin show whether anemia is improving or worsening and guide treatment. |
Expected outcomes
- By day 3: walks to the bathroom with only one rest, lower fatigue score, energy-saving plan in place.
- Patient states 3 energy-saving tips.
Linking the data to the diagnosis
After chemotherapy the patient says they are so tired they cannot even walk to the bathroom. The nurse found they need rest after 10 meters, their heart rate rises 25 beats on walking, and hemoglobin is 8.5 g/dL. This fits constant tiredness because the exhaustion is ongoing and limits activity, and anemia is the likely cause. It is an actual diagnosis because the tiredness is present now. The plan aims by day 3 for the patient to walk to the bathroom with only one rest, a lower fatigue score, an energy-saving plan in place, and 3 energy-saving tips stated by the patient.