examples of nursing diagnosis

3 min read 12-03-2025

Nursing diagnoses are clinical judgments about a person's, family's, or community's responses to actual or potential health problems and life processes. They provide the basis for selecting nursing interventions to achieve outcomes for which the nurse is accountable. This article will explore various examples, categorized for clarity, illustrating the breadth and depth of nursing diagnoses. Understanding these examples will help nurses develop critical thinking skills and improve patient care.

Understanding the Components of a Nursing Diagnosis

Before diving into examples, let's review the structure of a nursing diagnosis. Most nursing diagnoses follow a three-part format:

Problem: This describes the patient's health status. It's often a concise statement about the patient's condition, e.g., "Impaired Gas Exchange."
Etiology: This identifies the factors contributing to the problem. It explains why the problem exists, e.g., "related to pneumonia."
Symptoms (Defining Characteristics): These are the observable cues and evidence supporting the diagnosis, e.g., "as evidenced by shortness of breath, increased respiratory rate, and decreased oxygen saturation."

Examples of Nursing Diagnoses Categorized by System

This section provides examples of nursing diagnoses, categorized for easy understanding. Remember, the specific etiology and defining characteristics will vary depending on the individual patient.

Respiratory System

Ineffective Breathing Pattern: Related to pain medication-induced respiratory depression as evidenced by shallow respirations and decreased breath sounds.
Impaired Gas Exchange: Related to pneumonia as evidenced by shortness of breath, decreased oxygen saturation, and increased respiratory rate.
Activity Intolerance: Related to shortness of breath as evidenced by fatigue and dyspnea on exertion.

Cardiovascular System

Decreased Cardiac Output: Related to myocardial infarction as evidenced by hypotension, tachycardia, and chest pain.
Ineffective Tissue Perfusion: Related to peripheral vascular disease as evidenced by cool extremities, diminished pulses, and pallor.
Risk for Fluid Volume Excess: Related to heart failure as evidenced by edema and weight gain.

Gastrointestinal System

Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements: Related to anorexia and nausea as evidenced by weight loss and decreased appetite.
Constipation: Related to opioid medication and decreased mobility as evidenced by infrequent bowel movements and hard stools.
Nausea: Related to chemotherapy as evidenced by reports of nausea and vomiting.

Musculoskeletal System

Impaired Physical Mobility: Related to pain and limited range of motion as evidenced by difficulty ambulating and performing ADLs.
Acute Pain: Related to surgical incision as evidenced by reports of sharp, localized pain and guarding behavior.
Risk for Falls: Related to weakness and impaired balance as evidenced by unsteady gait.

Integumentary System

Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity: Related to prolonged immobility and pressure points as evidenced by reddened areas over bony prominences.
Impaired Skin Integrity: Related to pressure ulcer as evidenced by a non-blanchable area of erythema over sacrum.
Delayed Wound Healing: Related to poor nutrition and infection as evidenced by slow wound closure and purulent drainage.

Neurological System

Risk for Injury: Related to altered level of consciousness as evidenced by disorientation and confusion.
Impaired Verbal Communication: Related to stroke as evidenced by difficulty speaking and understanding language.
Disturbed Sensory Perception: Related to hearing impairment as evidenced by difficulty understanding conversation and responding appropriately.

Elimination System

Urinary Retention: Related to post-operative effects of anesthesia as evidenced by distended bladder and inability to void.
Stress Urinary Incontinence: Related to weakened pelvic floor muscles as evidenced by leakage of urine during coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
Constipation: Related to opioid analgesics as evidenced by infrequent hard stools and abdominal distension.

Further Considerations

This list represents only a fraction of the possible nursing diagnoses. The complexity and specificity of a nursing diagnosis depend heavily on the individual patient's condition, medical history, and overall presentation. Remember that accurate and precise diagnostic statements are crucial for developing appropriate and effective care plans. Consult the NANDA-I (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International) taxonomy for the most current and comprehensive list of nursing diagnoses. Continuous professional development and staying updated on current nursing practices are essential for skilled nursing diagnosis.