The Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) System

 

NIC is a comprehensive and research-based publication that details over 500 interventions across all medical care settings and specialties.

It provides a standardized classification system for nursing interventions. The NIC divides all nursing interventions into seven specific categories known as domains.

 	
Basic Physiological Nursing Interventions

Nurses perform basic physiological interventions when caring for a client’s physical needs.

These are hands-on care actions like:

 	
Feeding
 	
Bathing
 	
Bedside assistance

Basic physiological interventions ensure a client is clean and comfortable.

 	
Complex Physiological Nursing Interventions

Complicated client needs require more advanced nursing care.

These types of treatments fall under complex physiological nursing interventions. Administering fluids or medication through an IV is one example.

 	
Behavioral Nursing Interventions

Behavioral nursing interventions deal with a client’s unhealthy behaviors or habits.

Nurses might introduce physical and emotional coping methods to help clients change their behavior. Helping a client cope with an addiction is an example of a behavioral nursing intervention.

 	
Family Nursing Interventions

Certain nursing care duties expand beyond the client to include family members.

This type of care is known as family nursing intervention. Helping a mother care for her newborn in the hospital is a great example of a family intervention.

Teaching and assisting new mothers helps the primary client and their family.

 	
Safety Nursing Interventions

Client safety is a top priority for registered nurses, no matter how long the client is under their direct care.

Safety nursing interventions include fall prevention and teaching family members how to help clients safely recover at home.

 	
Community Nursing Interventions

A community nursing intervention involves more than just clients and their families.

It also reaches out to the local population. It’s an initiative usually made by a medical organization to encourage better public health and wellness in the community.

Nurses may help educate or care for the community during these interventions. For example, they could administer vaccines during a free flu shot clinic to help combat illness in the community.

 	
Health System Nursing Interventions

When a nurse is part of an interdependent health care team, they often provide health system nursing interventions.

This nursing practice ensures the medical facility is safe and clean for clients. For example, following health system protocols for cleanliness is a nursing intervention that helps prevent infections.
Utilizing NIC in Practice
By employing NIC in documentation, nurses can consistently record and report interventions, ensuring clear, effective communication within the health care team.

This practice enhances the quality of care and facilitates better interdisciplinary collaboration.

For example, if a nurse is managing a client with chronic pain, they might select NIC interventions such as pain management (catalog code 1400), which involves:

 	
Assessing pain levels
 	
Administering prescribed medications
 	
Teaching relaxation techniques

Another example is teaching the client about the disease process (catalog code 5602). This includes educating the client on their condition, treatment options, and ways to manage symptoms.

Nurses can use the NIC system to ensure that all team members know about the interventions implemented.