Nursing diagnoses focus on which aspect of patient care?

Nursing diagnoses focus on which aspect of patient care?

• A. Physiological problems only
• B. Patient responses to health problems
• C. Medical treatments
• D. Physician orders

Answer: (B)

Nursing diagnoses focus on how the patient responds to health problems—covering symptoms, risks, and functional limitations that nursing care can influence. This patient-centered view guides independent nursing interventions aimed at relief, safety, coping, and restoring function, whereas medical diagnoses identify the disease and physician orders specify treatments. For instance, a nursing diagnosis of Acute pain related to surgical incision centers on the pain experience and prompts actions such as analgesia, comfort measures, and proper positioning, rather than detailing the surgical procedure itself.

Nursing diagnoses focus on how the patient responds to health problems—covering symptoms, risks, and functional limitations that nursing care can influence. This patient-centered view guides independent nursing interventions aimed at relief, safety, coping, and restoring function, whereas medical diagnoses identify the disease and physician orders specify treatments. For instance, a nursing diagnosis of Acute pain related to surgical incision centers on the pain experience and prompts actions such as analgesia, comfort measures, and proper positioning, rather than detailing the surgical procedure itself.