What is the correct formulation of a nursing diagnosis?

What is the correct formulation of a nursing diagnosis?

• A. problem label; etiology; defining characteristics
• B. problem label; etiology
• C. etiology; problem label; defining characteristics
• D. defining characteristics; problem label; etiology

Answer: (A)

The statement for a nursing diagnosis should present the problem first, then the factor contributing to it, and finally the supporting evidence. This order—problem label, etiology, and defining characteristics—clears shows what is wrong, why it is happening, and how we know it is happening from the patient’s data. The problem label identifies the specific nursing diagnosis itself. The etiology (related to) explains the cause or contributing factor behind the problem. The defining characteristics (as evidenced by) are the assessment findings, symptoms, or signs that confirm the diagnosis. For example: Impaired gas exchange related to pneumonia as evidenced by dyspnea, restlessness, tachypnea, and low oxygen saturation. If the elements were jumbled, the linkage between the problem and its cause wouldn’t be as clear, or the evidence wouldn’t be tied to a specific underlying issue. So the best and most useful formulation follows the problem label; etiology; defining characteristics order.

The statement for a nursing diagnosis should present the problem first, then the factor contributing to it, and finally the supporting evidence. This order—problem label, etiology, and defining characteristics—clears shows what is wrong, why it is happening, and how we know it is happening from the patient’s data. The problem label identifies the specific nursing diagnosis itself. The etiology (related to) explains the cause or contributing factor behind the problem. The defining characteristics (as evidenced by) are the assessment findings, symptoms, or signs that confirm the diagnosis.

For example: Impaired gas exchange related to pneumonia as evidenced by dyspnea, restlessness, tachypnea, and low oxygen saturation. If the elements were jumbled, the linkage between the problem and its cause wouldn’t be as clear, or the evidence wouldn’t be tied to a specific underlying issue. So the best and most useful formulation follows the problem label; etiology; defining characteristics order.