How are Defining Characteristics Used in Care Planning?
In the context of care planning, defining characteristics are used to create personalized care plans. Once the defining characteristics are identified, nurses can select appropriate [nursing interventions](https://nurse.org) and set realistic, measurable goals. For example, if a patient is diagnosed with "Impaired Physical Mobility," the nurse might observe defining characteristics such as limited range of motion or decreased muscle strength and then develop a care plan that includes physical therapy and mobility aids.
