The acronym PES stands for what in nursing diagnoses?

The acronym PES stands for what in nursing diagnoses?

• A. Problem, etiology, symptoms
• B. Problem, evaluation, symptoms
• C. Problem, explanation, signs
• D. Plan, etiology, symptoms

Answer: (A)

PES combines three pieces to form a nursing diagnosis: Problem, Etiology, and Symptoms. The Problem is the nursing diagnosis label—the patient’s response to health issues. Etiology identifies the contributing factors or causes that help explain why the problem exists, usually written as related to or R/T. Symptoms (or defining characteristics) are the observable signs and symptoms that support the diagnosis, often written as evidenced by or AEB. This structure keeps the focus on the patient’s response and the rationale for the diagnosis. Plan or evaluation belong to other parts of the nursing process, not the PES statement. For example: Acute pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient report of 7/10 pain and guarding.

PES combines three pieces to form a nursing diagnosis: Problem, Etiology, and Symptoms. The Problem is the nursing diagnosis label—the patient’s response to health issues. Etiology identifies the contributing factors or causes that help explain why the problem exists, usually written as related to or R/T. Symptoms (or defining characteristics) are the observable signs and symptoms that support the diagnosis, often written as evidenced by or AEB. This structure keeps the focus on the patient’s response and the rationale for the diagnosis. Plan or evaluation belong to other parts of the nursing process, not the PES statement. For example: Acute pain related to surgical incision as evidenced by patient report of 7/10 pain and guarding.