Focus Charting of F-DAR is intended to make the client and client concerns and strengths the focus of

care. It is a method of organizing health information in an individuals record. Focus Charting is a

systematic approach to documentation.
Focus Charting Parts
Three columns are usually used in Focus Charting for documentation:

Date and Hour

Focus
Progress Notes

The progress notes are organized into (D) data, (A) action, and (R) response, referred to as DAR (third
column).
Here is an example of a format of Focus Charting or F-DAR
Date/Hour
3/7/2010
8:00pm

Focus
Progress Notes
Focus of care,
Data
this may be:a
Action
nursing
Response
diagnosis
a sign or a
symptom
an acute
change in the
condition
behavior

Progress Notes
Data (D)
The data category is like the assessment phase of the nursing process. It is in this category that you would
be writing your assessment cues like: vital signs, behaviors, and other observations noticed from the
patient. Both subjective and objective data are recorded in the data category.
Action (A)
The action category reflects the planning and implementation phase of the nursing process and includes
immediate and future nursing actions. It may also include any changes to the plan of care.
Response (R)
The response category reflects the evaluation phase of the nursing process and describes the clients
response to any nursing and medical care.
Focus Charting (F-DAR) Samples

Listed below are sample focus charting for different problems.

F-DAR for Pain
The focus of this problem is pain. Notice the way how the D, A, and R are written.
Date/Hour
5/20/201

Focus
Pain

Progress Notes
D:

08:00pm

Reports of sharp pain on

the abdominal incision
area with a pain scale of
8 out of 10
Facial grimacing
Guarding behavior
Restless and irritable

A:

Administered Celecoxib
200mg IV
Encouraged deep
breathing exercises and
relaxation techniques
Kept patient comfortable
and safe

R:

Patient reports pain was

relieved

F-DAR for Hyperthermia

Date/Hour
5/20/2010

Focus
Progress Notes
Hyperthermia D:

8:00pm

Temperature of 38.9 OC
via axilla
Skin is flushed and
warm to touch

A:

Tepid Sponge Bath

(TSB) done
7:30pm

Administered 250mg IV
Paracetamol as per
doctors order
Encouraged adequate
oral fluid intake
Encouraged adequate
rest

R:
10:00pm

Temperature decreased
from 38.9 to 37.1 OC

Another Variation
This is DAR made by Jay-D Man of Slideshare.net. with some modifications made. This is a very good
variation.
F1: Ineffective Breathing Pattern
D1: increase respiratory rate of 24 cpm
D2: use of accessory muscle to breath
D3: presence of nonproductive cough
F2: Hyperthermia
D1: skin warm and flush to touched
D2: increased body temperature of T= 38.9 degree celsius/axilla
F3: Fatigue
D1: less movement noted
A: 9:00am

monitored v/s and charted

regulated IVF and charted
morning care done

assessed patient needs and performed handwashing before handling the patient
advised SO to always stay on patient bedside
promote proper ventilation and a therapeutic environment

elevated the head of the bed (moderate high back rest)

provided comfort measures and provide opportunity for patient to rest
due meds given

9:30am

tepid sponge bath done

instructed SO to provide blanket and let patient wear loose clothing

F4: Discharge Plan (12:00nn)

D1: discharged order given by Dr.Name/Time

M advised SO to give the ff. meds at the right time, dose, frequency and route
E encouraged to maintain cleanliness of the house and surroundings
T advised to go to follow-up consultations on the prescribed date
H encouraged to do chest tapping to facilitate mobilization of secretion
O observed for signs of super infections such as fever, black fury tongue and foul odor
discharges
D encouraged to eat fresh vegetables and fish
S advised to continue praying to God and hear mass on Sunday

2:00pm out of the room per wheelchair with improved condition

Name of patient: Villareal, Juanita

F
> Hyperthermia
D
> Received patient sitting on bed with bottle # 1D5NSS 1 liter @ 30gtts/min. at thelevel of 350cc, hooked
at the right basalic vein, infusing well.

-38.5
PR-110bpm
RR-38cpm
BP-160/60mmHg
A> Bedside care done.

>

Ambroxol 30mg 1 tab given p.o

nt positions on bed.

> Above IVF consumed and followed-up with bottle #2 D5NSS 1 liter regulated
at30gtts/min.9:30pm
>Cefuroxime 750mg given IVTT
.10:00pm > Vital signs rechecked and recorded.
R
> Patient was able to maintain temperature within normal range,
T-36.9C

T-36.9
C;PR-100bpm
RR-38cpm
BP-170/70mmH

F> Ineffective airway clearance

D> Received patient sitting on a chair with bottle # 3 PNSS 1 liter regulated at30gtts/min. at the level of
90cc, hooked at the left metacarpal vein, infusing well.
inhalation via nasal cannula regulated at 1L/min.
RR-28cpm

A> Bedside care done.

back dry.
breathing
.6:00pm
.6:15pm

> Nebulization with Salbutamol 1 nebule done

>

9:30pm
.

>Cefuroxime 750mg given IVTT

0.3NaCl 1 liter at KVO rate.

>

Vital signs

rechecked and recorded.

R> Patient was able to maintain effective airway clearance and had no complaintsof difficulty of
breathing.
me IVF at the level of 920cc.
T-36.7C;
PR-87bpm
RR-25cpm
BP-120/80mmHg