NANDA Nursing Diagnoses: A Comprehensive Guide
Alternative Methods of Utilizing NANDA Diagnoses
The inductive methodology is a common approach to utilizing NANDA diagnoses. This involves the reception of data by a committee, which then moves through established criteria to determine the inclusion of new or existing diagnoses and validate or modify them as needed. Additionally, there is an appeal process for decisions made by the Diagnosis Reception Committee (DRC). However, there is a general lack of a pre-established framework, leading to variability in the foundation and identification of appropriate situations.
Components of NANDA Diagnoses Structure
1. Problem Label: A concise, one-sentence description of the diagnosis that represents a pattern of related cues. It includes qualifiers such as states, traits, and the year of approval and revisions.
2. Definition: A clear and precise description of the diagnosis that helps differentiate it from others.
3. Qualifiers: Adjectives used to further describe the problem label, such as:
- Deficit
- Decreased
- Deteriorated
- Impaired
- Disorder
- Fatigue
- Conflict
- Infective
- Dysfunction
- Intolerance
Collaborative Problems
Collaborative problems are recognized health concerns that nurses address in collaboration with other healthcare professionals. These problems are not solely the responsibility of nurses and have objectives that may contradict nursing goals. Examples include:
- Potential complications of a pathophysiological situation
- Problems requiring medical treatment
The objectives of collaborative problems include:
- Prevention of complications
- Early detection of signs and symptoms
- Monitoring and controlling the patient’s condition
- Application of prescribed medical treatment
- Planning and implementing nursing care
The key difference between nursing diagnoses and collaborative problems lies in the objectives. Nursing diagnoses focus on the individual, while collaborative problems focus on the overall healthcare plan.
Types of Diagnoses in the NANDA Classification
1. Actual: Describes the current response of an individual, family, or community based on defining characteristics.
2. Risk: Describes potential responses based on the presence of risk factors.
3. Health: Applies when a person, family, or community has an acceptable level of health but desires to reach a higher level.
Elements of Diagnosis Statements
Actual Diagnoses: Problem or Label + Defining Characteristics + Related Factors
- Related Factors: Etiology or factors that contribute to the diagnosis.
- Defining Characteristics: Observable cues or inferences that manifest the diagnosis.
Risk Diagnoses: Problem or Label + Risk Factors
- Risk Factors: Factors that increase vulnerability to an unhealthy event.
PES Format and NANDA Classification
The PES format aligns with NANDA elements as follows:
- Problem: Label + Adjective + Definition
- Etiology: Related Factors (Actual Diagnoses) or Risk Factors (Risk Diagnoses)
- Signs/Symptoms: Defining Characteristics (Actual Diagnoses only)
Advantages and Disadvantages of NANDA Classification
Advantages:
- Standardized language for nursing diagnoses
- Facilitates computer-based care planning and information retrieval
- Compatibility with NIC and NOC taxonomies
- Validation in clinical practice
- Widely used terminology
Disadvantages:
- Lack of clear philosophical approach to defining nursing diagnoses
- Unclear definition of “human response”
- Equal weighting of defining characteristics
- Some diagnoses lack clear definitions or components
Contribution of Marjory Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns
Marjory Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns provide a framework for assessing and diagnosing patient needs. They include:
- Health Perception-Health Management Pattern
- Nutritional-Metabolic Pattern
- Elimination Pattern
- Activity-Exercise Pattern
- Sleep-Rest Pattern
- Cognitive-Perceptual Pattern
- Self-Perception-Self-Concept Pattern
- Role-Relationship Pattern
- Sexuality-Reproductive Pattern
- Coping-Stress Tolerance Pattern
- Value-Belief Pattern
These patterns help nurses identify areas where patients may require support and develop appropriate nursing diagnoses.
Conclusion
NANDA nursing diagnoses provide a standardized language for nurses to identify and address patient needs. Understanding the components, types, and applications of NANDA diagnoses is essential for effective nursing care planning and delivery.