Diagnostic statements, particularly in a nursing context, are categorized into four main types: problem-focused, risk, health promotion or wellness, and syndrome. These categories help healthcare professionals, especially nurses, identify and address patient needs comprehensively.
According to the provided reference, the four categories of nursing diagnoses are:
- Problem-focused
- Risk
- Health promotion or wellness
- Syndrome
Understanding these types is crucial for developing effective care plans.
Categories of Diagnostic Statements
Let's explore each type in more detail:
Problem-Focused Diagnostic Statements
These statements describe actual health problems that currently exist for the patient. They identify a client problem being supported by defining characteristics (signs and symptoms).
- Focus: Existing patient problems.
- Structure: Problem statement related to related factors (etiology or cause) as evidenced by defining characteristics (signs/symptoms).
- Example: Acute Pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient reporting pain level 8/10, guarding behavior, and grimacing.
Risk Diagnostic Statements
These statements describe potential health problems that an individual is vulnerable to developing. They are used when risk factors are present that increase the patient's susceptibility to a specific problem. There are no defining characteristics for risk diagnoses because the problem has not yet occurred.
- Focus: Potential patient problems.
- Structure: Risk statement related to risk factors.
- Example: Risk for Falls related to impaired balance and muscle weakness.
Health Promotion or Wellness Diagnostic Statements
These statements describe human responses to levels of wellness in an individual, family, or community that have a readiness for enhancement. They focus on behaviors that patients are willing to improve to increase their health potential.
- Focus: Desire for enhanced health and wellness.
- Structure: Wellness statement as evidenced by defining characteristics indicating readiness for enhanced behaviors.
- Example: Readiness for Enhanced Nutrition as evidenced by stated desire to improve eating patterns.
Syndrome Diagnostic Statements
These statements are clinical judgments about specific clusters of nursing diagnoses that occur together and are best addressed together through similar interventions.
- Focus: Cluster of related nursing diagnoses.
- Structure: Syndrome statement related to related factors as evidenced by defining characteristics (of the clustered diagnoses).
- Example: Disuse Syndrome related to prolonged immobility as evidenced by impaired physical mobility, risk for impaired skin integrity, risk for constipation, and activity intolerance.
Anatomy of a Diagnostic Statement
Beyond the categories, the reference highlights the anatomy of a nursing diagnosis, which typically includes three components:
- Problem Statement or Diagnostic Label: The name of the diagnostic concept (e.g., Acute Pain, Risk for Falls, Readiness for Enhanced Nutrition, Disuse Syndrome).
- Defining Characteristics: The signs and symptoms that support a problem-focused or wellness diagnosis (not present for risk diagnoses).
- Related Factors: The etiology, contributing factors, or risk factors associated with the problem or risk (linked by "related to").
Summary Table
| Diagnostic Type | Description | Example (Simplified) |
|---|---|---|
| Problem-Focused | Actual problem supported by signs/symptoms. | Acute Pain related to incision. |
| Risk | Potential problem due to risk factors. | Risk for Falls related to muscle weakness. |
| Health Promotion | Readiness to enhance health behaviors. | Readiness for Enhanced Nutrition. |
| Syndrome | Cluster of diagnoses occurring together. | Disuse Syndrome related to immobility. |
Understanding these different types allows healthcare professionals to accurately assess patient needs, plan appropriate interventions, and evaluate outcomes effectively.
