nursing diagnosis on impaired physical mobility

What Are the Differences Between a Nursing Diagnosis and Other Types of Diagnosis?

The term 'diagnosis' can be confusing as it is used in various contexts, leading to misunderstandings about what constitutes a nursing diagnosis. While medical diagnoses are focused on identifying specific diseases or conditions, nursing diagnoses take a different approach.

A nursing diagnosis provides the basis for selection of 'nursing interventions to achieve outcomes for which the nurse has accountability.' It is a clinical judgment concerning a human response to health conditions or life processes, or a vulnerability for that response. The International Organization for Standardization (NANDA International) defines a nursing diagnosis as 'a clinical judgment concerning a human response to health conditions/life processes, or a vulnerability for that response, by an individual, family, group, or community.'

The key difference between a medical diagnosis and a nursing diagnosis lies in their purpose. Medical diagnoses aim to identify the underlying cause of a patient's symptoms, whereas nursing diagnoses focus on the patient's responses to those symptoms. A medical diagnosis is typically made after a thorough physical examination and laboratory tests, while a nursing diagnosis is based on information gathered during an assessment.

To illustrate this difference, consider a patient with impaired physical mobility due to a stroke. A medical diagnosis would identify the underlying cause of the immobility (e.g., cerebral vasculature), whereas a nursing diagnosis would focus on the patient's response to that condition (e.g., altered mobility patterns).

Once a nursing diagnosis is made, it serves as the foundation for developing a care plan. This care plan outlines specific interventions aimed at achieving desired outcomes. The nurse can then implement these interventions and monitor their effectiveness throughout the patient's hospital stay.

In summary, while medical diagnoses aim to identify specific diseases or conditions, nursing diagnoses focus on understanding a patient's responses to those conditions. Understanding the differences between these two types of diagnoses is essential for effective communication with patients, fellow healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.

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Nursing diagnosis on impaired physical mobility