Nursing Diagnosis

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Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to

Know to Master Diagnosing
BY MATT VERA, BSN, R.N. UPDATED ON JULY 5, 2021
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Nursing Diagnosis Guide for 2021: Complete List & Tutorial - Nurseslabs https://nurseslabs.com/nursing-diagnosis/
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Know the concepts behind writing NANDA nursing diagnosis in this ultimate tutorial and nursing
diagnosis list (now updated for 2021). Learn what is a nursing diagnosis, its history and evolution, the
nursing process, the different types, its classifications, and how to write NANDA nursing diagnoses
correctly. Included also in this guide are tips on how you can formulate better nursing diagnoses plus
guides on how you can use them in creating your nursing care plans (NCP).
Table of Contents
What is a Nursing Diagnosis?
Purposes of Nursing Diagnosis
Differentiating Nursing Diagnoses, Medical Diagnoses, and Collaborative Problems
NANDA International (NANDA-I)
History and Evolution of Nursing Diagnosis
Classification of Nursing Diagnoses (Taxonomy II)
Nursing Process
Assessment
Diagnosis
Planning
Implementation
Evaluation
Types of Nursing Diagnoses
Problem-Focused Nursing Diagnosis
Risk Nursing Diagnosis
Health Promotion Diagnosis
Syndrome Diagnosis
Possible Nursing Diagnosis
Components of a Nursing Diagnosis
Problem and Definition
Etiology
Risk Factors
Defining Characteristics
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Diagnostic Process: How to Diagnose

Analyzing Data
Identifying Health Problems, Risks, and Strengths
Formulating Diagnostic Statements
How to Write a Nursing Diagnosis?
PES Format
One-Part Nursing Diagnosis Statement
Two-Part Nursing Diagnosis Statement
Three-part Nursing Diagnosis Statement
Nursing Diagnosis for Care Plans
References and Sources
What is a Nursing Diagnosis?

A nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment concerning human response to health conditions/life
processes, or a vulnerability for that response, by an individual, family, group, or community. A nursing
diagnosis provides the basis for the selection of nursing interventions to achieve outcomes for which
the nurse has accountability. Nursing diagnoses are developed based on data obtained during the
nursing assessment and enable the nurse to develop the care plan.
Purposes of Nursing Diagnosis

The purpose of the nursing diagnosis is as follows:
Helps identify nursing priorities and help direct nursing interventions based on identified
priorities.
Helps the formulation of expected outcomes for quality assurance requirements of third-party
payers.
Nursing diagnoses help identify how a client or group responds to actual or potential health and
life processes and knowing their available resources of strengths that can be drawn upon to
prevent or resolve problems.
Provides a common language and forms a basis for communication and understanding between
nursing professionals and the healthcare team.
Provides a basis of evaluation to determine if nursing care was beneficial to the client and cost-
effective.
For nursing students, nursing diagnoses are an effective teaching tool to help sharpen their
problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Differentiating Nursing Diagnoses, Medical Diagnoses, and

Collaborative Problems
The term nursing diagnosis is associated with three different concepts. It may refer to the distinct
second step in the nursing process, diagnosis. Also, nursing diagnosis applies to the label when
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nurses assign meaning to collected data appropriately labeled with NANDA-I-approved nursing
diagnosis. For example, during the assessment, the nurse may recognize that the client is feeling
anxious, fearful, and finds it difficult to sleep. It is those problems which are labeled with nursing
diagnoses: respectively, Anxiety, Fear, and Disturbed Sleep Pattern. Lastly, a nursing diagnosis refers to
one of many diagnoses in the classification system established and approved by NANDA. In this
context, a nursing diagnosis is based upon the response of the patient to the medical condition. It is
called a ‘nursing diagnosis’ because these are matters that hold a distinct and precise action that is
associated with what nurses have autonomy to take action about with a specific disease or condition.
This includes anything that is a physical, mental, and spiritual type of response. Hence, a nursing
diagnosis is focused on care.
COMPARED. Nursing diagnoses vs medical diagnoses vs collaborative problems
A medical diagnosis, on the other hand, is made by the physician or advance health care practitioner
that deals more with the disease, medical condition, or pathological state only a practitioner can treat.
Moreover, through experience and know-how, the specific and precise clinical entity that might be the
possible cause of the illness will then be undertaken by the doctor, therefore, providing the proper
medication that would cure the illness. Examples of medical diagnoses are Diabetes Mellitus,
Tuberculosis, Amputation, Hepatitis, and Chronic Kidney Disease. The medical diagnosis normally does
not change. Nurses are required to follow the physician’s orders and carry out prescribed treatments
and therapies.
Collaborative problems are potential problems that nurses manage using both independent and
physican-prescribed interventions. These are problems or conditions that require both medical and
nursing interventions with the nursing aspect focused on monitoring the client’s condition and
preventing development of the potential complication.
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As explained above, now it is easier to distinguish nursing diagnosis from that of a medical
diagnosis. Nursing diagnosis is directed towards the patient and his physiological and psychological
response. A medical diagnosis, on the other hand, is particular with the disease or medical condition. Its
center is on the illness.
NANDA International (NANDA-I)

NANDA–International earlier known as the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA)
is the principal organization for defining, distribution and integration of standardized nursing
diagnoses worldwide.
The term nursing diagnosis was first mentioned in the nursing literature in the 1950s. Two faculty
members of Saint Louis University, Kristine Gebbie and Mary Ann Lavin, recognized the need to identify
nurses’ role in an ambulatory care setting. In 1973, NANDA’s first national conference was held to
formally identify, develop, and classify nursing diagnoses. Subsequent national conferences occurred in
1975, in 1980, and every two years thereafter. In recognition of the participation of nurses in the United
States and Canada, in 1982 the group accepted the name North American Nursing Diagnosis
Association (NANDA).
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In 2002, NANDA became NANDA International (NANDA-I) in response to its significant growth in
membership outside of North America. The acronym NANDA was retained in the name because of its
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recognition.
Review, refinement, and research of diagnostic labels continue as new and modified labels are
discussed at each biennial conference. Nurses can submit diagnoses to the Diagnostic Review
Committee for review. The NANDA-I board of directors give the final approval for incorporation of the
diagnosis into the official list of labels. As of 2020, NANDA-I has approved 244 diagnoses for clinical
use, testing, and refinement.
History and Evolution of Nursing Diagnosis

In this section, we’ll look at the events that led to the evolution of nursing diagnosis today:
The need for nursing to earn its professional status, the increasing use of computers in hospitals
for accreditation documentation, and the demand for a standardized language from nurses lead
to the development of nursing diagnosis.
Post-World War II America saw an increase in the number of nurses returning from military
service. These nurses were highly skilled in treating medical diagnoses with physicians. Returning
to peacetime practice, nurses were faced with renewed domination by physicians and social
pressures to return to traditionally defined female roles with reduces status to make room in the
workforce for returning male soldiers. With that, nurses felt increased pressure to redefine their
unique status and value.
Nursing diagnosis was seen as the approach that could provide the “frame of reference from
which nurses could determine what to do and what to expect” in a clinical practice situation.
Nursing diagnoses were also intended to define nursing’s unique boundaries with respect to
medical diagnoses. For NANDA, the standardization of nursing language through nursing
diagnosis was the first step towards having insurance companies pay nurses directly for their
care.
In 1953, Virginia Fry and R. Louise McManus introduced the discipline-specific term “nursing
diagnosis” to describe a step necessary in developing a nursing care plan.
In 1972, the New York State Nurse Practice Act identified diagnosing as part of the legal domain
of professional nursing. The Act was the first legislative recognition of nursing’s independent
role and diagnostic function.
In 1973, the development of nursing diagnosis formally began when two faculty members of the
Saint Louis University, Kristine Gebbie and Mary Ann Lavin, perceived a need to identify nurses’
roles in ambulatory care settings. In the same year, the first national conference to identify
nursing diagnoses was sponsored by the Saint Louis University School of Nursing and Allied
Health Profession in 1973.
Also in 1973, the American Nurses Association’s Standards of Practice included diagnosing as a
function of professional nursing. Diagnosing was subsequently incorporated into the component
of the nursing process. The nursing process was used to standardize and define the concept of
nursing care, hoping that it would help to earn professional status.
In 1980, the American Nurses Association (ANA) Social Policy Statement defined nursing as: “the
diagnosis and treatment of human response to actual or potential health problems.”
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International recognition of the conferences and the development of nursing diagnosis came
with the First Canadian Conference in Toronto (1977) and the International Nursing Conference
(1987) in Alberta, Canada.
In 1982, the conference group accepted the name “North American Nursing Diagnosis
Association (NANDA)” to recognize the participation and contribution of nurses in the United
States and Canada. In the same year, the newly formed NANDA used Sr. Callista Roy’s “nine
patterns of unitary man” as an organizing principle since the first taxonomy listed nursing
diagnosis alphabetically – which was deemed unscientific.
In 1984, NANDA renamed “patterns of unitary man” as “human response patterns” based on the
work of Marjorie Gordon. Currently, the taxonomy is now called Taxonomy II.
In 1990 during the 9th conference of NANDA, the group approved an official definition of
nursing diagnosis:
“Nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment about individual, family, or community responses to
actual or potential health problems/life processes. Nursing diagnosis provides the basis for
selection of nursing interventions to achieve outcomes for which the nurse is accountable.”
In 1997, NANDA changed the name of its official journal from “Nursing Diagnosis” to “Nursing
Diagnosis: The International Journal of Nursing Terminologies and Classifications.”
In 2002, NANDA changed its name to NANDA International (NANDA-I) to further reflect the
worldwide interest in nursing diagnosis. In the same year, Taxonomy II was released based on
the revised version of Gordon’s Functional health patterns.
As of 2018, NANDA-I has approved 244 diagnoses for clinical use, testing, and refinement.
Classification of Nursing Diagnoses (Taxonomy II)

How are nursing diagnoses listed, arranged or classified? In 2002, Taxonomy II was adopted, which was
based from the Functional Health Patterns assessment framework of Dr. Mary Joy Gordon. Taxonomy II
has three levels: Domains (13), Classes (47), and nursing diagnoses. Nursing diagnoses are no longer
grouped by Gordon’s patterns but coded according to seven axes: diagnostic concept, time, unit of
care, age, health status, descriptor, and topology. In addition, diagnoses are now listed alphabetically
by its concept, not by the first word.
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NURSING DIAGNOSIS TAXONOMY II. Taxonomy II for nursing diagnosis contains 13 domains and 47 classes. Image via:
Wikipedia.com
Domain 1. Health Promotion Domain 7. Role relationship

Class 1. Health Awareness Class 1. Caregiving roles
Class 2. Health Management Class 2. Family relationships
Domain 2. Nutrition Class 3. Role performance
Class 1. Ingestion Domain 8. Sexuality
Class 2. Digestion Class 1. Sexual identity
Class 3. Absorption Class 2. Sexual function
Class 4. Metabolism Class 3. Reproduction
Class 5. Hydration Domain 9. Coping/stress tolerance
Domain 3. Elimination and Exchange Class 1. Post-trauma responses
Class 1. Urinary function Class 2. Coping responses
Class 2. Gastrointestinal function Class 3. Neurobehavioral stress
Class 3. Integumentary function Domain 10. Life principles
Class 4. Respiratory function Class 1. Values
Domain 4. Activity/Rest Class 2. Beliefs
Class 1. Sleep/Rest Class 3. Value/Belief/Action
Class 2. Activity/Exercise congruence
Class 3. Energy balance Domain 11. Safety/Protection
Class 4. Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Class 1. Infection
responses Class 2. Physical injury
Class 5. Self-care Class 3. Violence
Domain 5. Perception/Cognition Class 4. Environmental hazards
Class 1. Attention Class 5. Defensive processes
Class 2. Orientation Class 6. Thermoregulation
Class 3. Sensation/Perception Domain 12. Comfort
Class 4. Cognition Class 1. Physical comfort
Class 5. Communication Class 2. Environmental comfort
Domain 6. Self-Perception Class 3. Social comfort
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Class 1. Self-concept Domain 13. Growth/Development

Class 2. Self-esteem Class 1. Growth
Class 3. Body image Class 2. Development
Nursing Process
The five stages of the nursing process are assessment, diagnosing, planning, implementation, and
evaluation. In the diagnostic process, the nurse is required to have critical thinking. Apart from the
understanding of nursing diagnoses and their definitions, the nurse promotes awareness of defining
characteristics and behaviors of the diagnoses, related factors to the selected nursing diagnoses, and
the interventions suited for treating the diagnoses.
NURSING PROCESS. Also known as the “ADPIE”
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Assessment
What data is collected? The first step of the nursing process is called assessment. When the nurse first
encounters a patient, the former is expected to perform an assessment to identify the patient’s health
problems as well as the physiological, psychological, and emotional state. The most common approach
to gathering important information is through an interview. Physical examinations, referencing a
patient’s health history, obtaining a patient’s family history, and general observation can also be used
to collect assessment data.
Diagnosis
What is the problem? Once the assessment is completed, the second step of the nursing process is
whereWork
theinnurse will take all the gathered information into consideration and diagnose the patient’s
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condition
Google and medical needs. Diagnosing involves a nurse making an educated judgment about a
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potential or actual health problem with a patient. More than one diagnoses are sometimes made for a
single patient.
Planning
How to manage the problem? When the nurse, any supervising medical staff, and the patient agree
on the diagnosis, the nurse will plan a course of treatment that takes into account short- and long-term
goals. Each problem is committed to a clear, measurable goal for the expected beneficial outcome. The
planning step of the nursing process is discussed in detail in Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate
Guide and Database.
Implementation
Putting the plan into action. The implementation phase of the nursing process is when the nurse put
the treatment plan into effect. This typically begins with the medical staff conducting any needed
medical interventions. Interventions should be specific to each patient and focus on achievable
outcomes. Actions associated in a nursing care plan include monitoring the patient for signs of change
or improvement, directly caring for the patient or conducting important medical tasks, educating and
guiding the patient about further health management, and referring or contacting the patient for a
follow-up.
Evaluation
Did the plan work? Once all nursing intervention actions have taken place, the team now learns what
works and what doesn’t by evaluating what was done beforehand. The possible patient outcomes are
generally explained under three terms: the patient’s condition improved, the patient’s condition
stabilized, and the patient’s condition worsened. Accordingly, evaluation is the last, but if goals were
not sufficed, the nursing process begins again from the first step.
Types of Nursing Diagnoses

The four types of NANDA nursing diagnosis are Actual (Problem-Focused), Risk, Health Promotion, and
Syndrome. Here are the four categories of nursing diagnosis provided by the NANDA-I system.
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TYPES OF NURSING DIAGNOSES. The four types of nursing diagnosis are Actual (Problem-Focused), Risk, Health Promotion, and
Syndrome.
Problem-Focused Nursing Diagnosis

A problem-focused diagnosis (also known as actual diagnosis) is a client problem that is present at
the time of the nursing assessment. These diagnoses are based on the presence of associated signs
and symptoms. Actual nursing diagnosis should not be viewed as more important than risk diagnoses.
There are many instances where a risk diagnosis can be the diagnosis with the highest priority for a
patient.
Problem-focused nursing diagnoses have three components: (1) nursing diagnosis, (2) related factors,
and (3) defining characteristics. Examples of actual nursing diagnosis are:
Ineffective Breathing Pattern related to pain as evidenced by pursed-lip breathing, reports of

pain during inhalation, use of accessory muscles to breathe
Anxiety related to stress as evidenced by increased tension, apprehension, and expression of
concern regarding upcoming surgery
Acute Pain related to decreased myocardial flow as evidenced by grimacing, expression of pain,
guarding behavior.
Impaired Skin Integrity related to pressure over bony prominence as evidenced by pain,
bleeding, redness, wound drainage.
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Risk Nursing Diagnosis

The second type of nursing diagnosis is called risk nursing diagnosis. These are clinical judgment that
a problem does not exist, but the presence of risk factors indicates that a problem is likely to develop
unless nurses intervene. There are no etiological factors (related factors) for risk diagnoses. The
individual (or group) is more susceptible to develop the problem than others in the same or a similar
situation because of risk factors. For example, an elderly client with diabetes and vertigo has difficulty
walking refuses to ask for assistance during ambulation may be appropriately diagnosed with Risk for
Injury.
Components of a risk nursing diagnosis include: (1) risk diagnostic label, and (2) risk factors. Examples
of risk nursing diagnosis are:
Risk for Falls as evidenced by muscle weakness

Risk for Injury as evidenced by altered mobility
Risk for Infection as evidenced by immunosuppression
Health Promotion Diagnosis

Health promotion diagnosis (also known as wellness diagnosis) is a clinical judgment about
motivation and desire to increase well-being. Health promotion diagnosis is concerned in the
individual, family, or community transition from a specific level of wellness to a higher level of wellness.
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Components of a health promotion diagnosis generally include only the diagnostic label or a one-part-
statement. Examples of health promotion diagnosis:
Readiness for Enhanced Spiritual Well Being

Readiness for Enhanced Family Coping
Readiness for Enhanced Parenting
Syndrome Diagnosis
A syndrome diagnosis is a clinical judgment concerning with a cluster of problem or risk nursing
diagnoses that are predicted to present because of a certain situation or event.
They, too, are written as a one-part statement requiring only the diagnostic label. Examples of a
syndrome nursing diagnosis are:
Chronic Pain Syndrome

Post-trauma Syndrome
Frail Elderly Syndrome
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Possible Nursing Diagnosis

A possible nursing diagnosis is not a type of diagnosis as are actual, risk, health promotion, and
syndrome. Possible nursing diagnoses are statements describing a suspected problem for which
additional data are needed to confirm or rule out the suspected problem. It provides the nurse with the
ability to communicate with other nurses that a diagnosis may be present but additional data collection
is indicated to rule out or confirm the diagnosis.
Examples include
Possible Chronic Low Self-Esteem

Possible Social Isolation.
Components of a Nursing Diagnosis

A nursing diagnosis has typically three components: (1) the problem and its definition, (2) the etiology,
and (3) the defining characteristics or risk factors (for risk diagnosis).
BUILDING BLOCKS OF A DIAGNOSTIC STATEMENT. Components of an NDx may include: probem, etiology, risk factors, and defining
characteristics.
Problem and Definition

The problem statement, or the diagnostic label, describes the client’s health problem or response for
which nursing therapy is given as concisely as possible. A diagnostic label usually has two parts:
qualifier and focus of the diagnosis. Qualifiers (also called modifiers) are words that have been
added to some diagnostic labels to give additional meaning, limit or specify the diagnostic
statement. Exempted in this rule are one-word nursing diagnoses (e.g., Anxiety, Fatigue, Nausea) where
their qualifier and focus are inherent in the one term.
Qualifier Focus of the Diagnosis
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Deficient Fluid volume
Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
Impaired Gas Exchange
Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
Risk for Injury
Etiology
The etiology, or related factors, component of a nursing diagnosis label identifies one or more
probable causes of the health problem, are the conditions involved in the development of the problem,
gives direction to the required nursing therapy, and enables the nurse to individualize the client’s care.
Nursing interventions should be aimed at etiological factors in order to remove the underlying cause of
the nursing diagnosis. Etiology is linked with the problem statement with the phrase “related to“.
Risk Factors
Risk factors are used instead of etiological factors for risk nursing diagnosis. Risk factors are forces
that puts an individual (or group) at an increased vulnerability to an unhealthy condition. Risk factors
are written following the phrase “as evidenced by” in the diagnostic statement.
Defining Characteristics
Defining characteristics are the clusters of signs and symptoms that indicate the presence of a
particular diagnostic label. In actual nursing diagnoses, the defining characteristics are the identified
signs and symptoms of the client. For risk nursing diagnosis, no signs and symptoms are present
therefore the factors that cause the client to be more susceptible to the problem form the etiology of a
risk nursing diagnosis. Defining characteristics are written following the phrase “as evidenced by” or “as
manifested by” in the diagnostic statement.
Diagnostic Process: How to Diagnose

There are three phases during the diagnostic process: (1) data analysis, (2) identification of the client’s
health problems, health risks and strengths, and (3) formulation of diagnostic statements.
Analyzing Data
Analysis of data involves comparing patient data against standards, clustering the cues, and identifying
gaps and inconsistencies.
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Identifying Health Problems, Risks, and Strengths

In this decision-making step after data analysis, the nurse together with the client identify problems
that support tentative actual, risk, and possible diagnoses. It involves determining whether a problem is
a nursing diagnosis, medical diagnosis, or a collaborative problem. Also at this stage is wherein the
nurse and the client identify the client’s strengths, resources, and abilities to cope.
Formulating Diagnostic Statements

Formulation of diagnostic statement is the last step of the diagnostic process wherein the nurse creates
diagnostic statements. The process is detailed below.
How to Write a Nursing Diagnosis?

In writing nursing diagnostic statements, describe the health status of an individual and the factors that
have contributed to the status. You do not need to include all types of diagnostic indicators. Writing
diagnostic statements vary per type of nursing diagnosis (see below).
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WRITING DIAGNOSTIC STATEMENTS. Your guide on how to write different nursing diagnostic statements.
PES Format
Another way of writing nursing diagnostic statements is by using the PES format which stands for
Problem (diagnostic label), Etiology (related factors), and Signs/Symptoms (defining characteristics).
Using the PES format, diagnostic statements can be one-part, two-part, or three-part statements.
PES FORMAT. Writing nursing diagnoses using the PES format.
One-Part Nursing Diagnosis Statement
Health promotion nursing diagnoses are usually written as one-part statements because related factors
are always the same: motivated to achieve a higher level of wellness though related factors may be
used to improve the of the chosen diagnosis. Syndrome diagnoses also have no related factors.
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Examples of one-part nursing diagnosis statement include:
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Readiness for Enhance Breastfeeding

Readiness for Enhanced Coping
Rape Trauma Syndrome
Two-Part Nursing Diagnosis Statement
Risk and possible nursing diagnoses have two-part statements: the first part is the diagnostic label and
the second is the validation for a risk nursing diagnosis or the presence of risk factors. It’s not possible
to have a third part for risk or possible diagnoses because signs and symptoms do not exist. Examples
of two-part nursing diagnosis statement include:
Risk for Infection as evidenced by compromised host defenses

Risk for Injury as evidenced by abnormal blood profile
Possible Social Isolation related to unknown etiology
Three-part Nursing Diagnosis Statement
An actual or problem-focus nursing diagnosis have three-part statements: diagnostic label,

contributing factor (“related to”), and signs and symptoms (“as evidenced by” or “as manifested by”).
Three-part nursing diagnosis statement is also called the PES format which includes the Problem,
Etiology, and Signs and Symptoms. Examples of three-part nursing diagnosis statement include:
Impaired Physical Mobility related to decreased muscle control as evidenced by inability to

control lower extremities.
Acute Pain related to tissue ischemia as evidenced by statement of “I feel severe pain on my
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chest!”
Variations on Basic Statement Formats
Variations in writing nursing diagnosis statement formats include the following:
Using “secondary to” to divide the etiology into two parts to make the diagnostic statement
more descriptive and useful. Following the “secondary to” is often a pathophysiologic or disease
process or a medical diagnosis. For example, Risk for Decreased Cardiac Output related to
reduced preload secondary to myocardial infarction.
Using “complex factors” when there are too many etiologic factors or when they are too complex
to state in a brief phrase. For example, Chronic Low Self-Esteem related to complex factors.
Using “unknown etiology” when the defining characteristics are present but the nurse does not
know the cause or contributing factors. For example, Ineffective Coping related to unknown
etiology.
Specifying a second part of the general response or NANDA label to make it more precise. For
example, Impaired Skin Integrity (Right Anterior Chest) related to disruption of skin surface
secondary to burn injury.
Nursing Diagnosis for Care Plans

This section is the list or database of the common NANDA nursing diagnosis examples that you can use
to develop your nursing care plans.
Activity Intolerance
Acute Pain
Anxiety
Chronic Pain
Constipation
Decreased Cardiac Output
Deficient Fluid Volume
Deficient Knowledge
Diarrhea
Excess Fluid Volume
Fatigue
Fear
Grieving
Hopelessness
Hyperthermia
Hypothermia
Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements
Impaired Gas Exchange
Impaired Tissue (Skin) Integrity
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Impaired Urinary Elimination

Ineffective Airway Clearance
Ineffective Breathing Pattern
Ineffective Tissue Perfusion
Risk for Falls
Risk for Impaired Skin Integrity
Risk for Infection
Risk for Injury
Risk for Unstable Blood Glucose Level
See more sample nursing care plans here.
You can find the complete list of nursing diagnoses and their definitions at NANDA
International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification 2018-2020 11th Edition.
References and Sources

References for this Nursing Diagnosis guide and recommended resources to further your reading.
Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2010). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook-E-Book: An Evidence-Based

Guide to Planning Care. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Berman, A., Snyder, S., & Frandsen, G. (2016). Kozier & Erb’s Fundamentals of Nursing: Concepts,
process and practice. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Edel, M. (1982). The nature of nursing diagnosis. In J. Carlson, C. Craft, & A. McGuire (Eds.),
Nursing diagnosis (pp. 3-17). Philadelphia: Saunders.
Fry, V. (1953). The Creative approach to nursing. AJN, 53(3), 301-302.
Gordon, M. (1982). Nursing diagnosis: Process and application. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Gordon, M. (2014). Manual of nursing diagnosis. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Gebbie, K., & Lavin, M. (1975.) Classification of nursing diagnoses: Proceedings of the First
National Conference. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.
McManus, R. L. (1951). Assumption of functions in nursing. In Teachers College, Columbia
University, Regional planning for nurses and nursing education. New York: Columbia University
Press.
For the Complete List of NANDA-I Nursing Diagnosis: Herdman, H. T., & Kamitsuru, S. (Eds.).
(2017). NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification 2018-2020. Thieme.
NANDA. International. (2014). Nursing Diagnoses 2012-14: Definitions and Classification. Wiley.
Powers, P. (2002). A discourse analysis of nursing diagnosis. Qualitative health research, 12(7),
945-965. [Scribd]
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Matt Vera, BSN, R.N.

Matt Vera is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing since 2009 and is currently working as a full-time writer and
editor for Nurseslabs. During his time as a student, he knows how frustrating it is to cram on difficult nursing topics. Finding
help online is nearly impossible. His situation drove his passion for helping student nurses by creating content and lectures that
are easy to digest. Knowing how valuable nurses are in delivering quality healthcare but limited in number, he wants to educate
and inspire nursing students. As a nurse educator since 2010, his goal in Nurseslabs is to simplify the learning process, break
down complicated topics, help motivate learners, and look for unique ways of assisting students in mastering core nursing
concepts effectively.
65 thoughts on “Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know
to Master Diagnosing”
21 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Sima bose
January 8, 2019 at 2:02 AM
Very useful document indeed.
Reply

February 25, 2019 at 5:40 PM
Thank you Sima! Hope it helps come up with great nursing care plans!
Reply
aloha delorino
June 23, 2021 at 6:49 AM
Thank you for this resource material. This is very simple, concise and easy to understand. This
would be of great help both for the students and the teacher.
Reply
22 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Modupe
This is simple and easy to understand.
Reply
Matt Vera, RN
February 6, 2019 at 12:16 AM
Happy to know! Hope you visit our guide on nursing care plans too! Thanks for dropping by
Modupe!
Reply
Zobaida Khatun
I need a complete pdf file
Reply

Hi! If you want to save it as a PDF file, simply “Print” this page and “Save as PDF”.
Reply
23 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Hussaina Saleh
So very happy to stumble upon nurseslabs. Thanks so much
Reply
Matt Vera, RN
Happy to have helped you. Please do check out our nursing care plans list too! Thanks for
visiting, Hussaina!
Reply
Lawrencia Belleh
March 25, 2019 at 1:49 PM
I want to acknowledge the writer of Understand, Matt Vera for using the initiative in simplifying
the nursing notes into simple English that we as upcoming nursing students can understand
nursing notes in order to practice them in our clinical. I’ve learned so much from this website
and I want to be part of the nurses website so I can gather some more informations. Get me on
my email.
Thanks so much..
Reply

May 29, 2019 at 3:42 PM
24 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Thank you Lawrencia. Glad to be of help!
Reply
yadidya
March 29, 2019 at 1:48 PM
VERY NICE EXPLANATION .THANK YOU . DEAR MADAM /SIR PLEASE CAN YOU PROVIDE ME
LIST OF NURSING DIAGNOSIS ALONG WITH REVISED ONE TILL DATE .
I am Lecturer in college of nursing ,India
Thank You
Reply
Baverly Jumba
April 1, 2019 at 4:51 PM
this is so educative thank you
Reply

April 1, 2019 at 8:45 PM
Thank you! Glad you liked it.
Reply
25 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Devi Maya Shrestha

April 3, 2019 at 6:33 AM
really simple and effective, thank you so much.
Reply
Dr. G
April 9, 2019 at 10:02 PM
This is great! Simple and easy to understand for the nursing students.
Reply
rahmat ismail
May 10, 2019 at 3:41 PM
Comment:nice work, great nurses.
Reply
26 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Supaporn
March 23, 2021 at 5:45 PM
I am a nurse more than 30 yeras and try to teach my team how to used nursing process but it
not success. You make me feel it simple and easy to understand . I will use your concept for
my team. Thank you somuch
Reply
DEE
May 14, 2019 at 3:34 PM
THANK, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR THE RESOURCEFUL INFORMATION.
Reply
joseph auarshie jnr

May 17, 2019 at 4:30 PM
please i want care plan on risk for unstable blood pressure

i am a nursing student
Reply
Muzhdah
May 23, 2019 at 10:19 AM
27 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
@joseph auarshie jnr, can you please send me your care plan if you made it already ? I am a
nursing student too. Thank you appreciated
Reply
Raena Zwiefelhofer
May 28, 2019 at 10:04 PM
Hello Matt,
I have been a nurse for a very long time so it has been a while since I have actually written a
care plan. I am working on one for our EMR at work and had a question that I am hoping you
can help me with. When using a qualifier, such as Disturbed, can this word be changed to
something like Distressed or Unsettled while still maintaining EBP?
Thanks, Raena
Reply

May 29, 2019 at 3:32 PM
28 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Hi Raena,
Thanks for that interesting question!
I don’t think you can use other qualifiers (AKA modifiers) other than those listed and
approved on the NANDA-I taxonomy. Using other words for modifiers defeats the purpose of
standardization or the taxonomy itself. If you think your diagnostic label is limiting, I
recommend adding a related factor (“related to”) and/or an “as evidenced by”. If these
components are not included or not possible to be written in your EMR system, assessment
and data collected should be shown to verify if the diagnosis is accurate.
If you’re having difficulty formulating diagnostic labels, check our guides for each diagnosis
above or consult the official NANDA-I taxonomy list (Amazon Link)
Reply
Raena Zwiefelhofer
May 29, 2019 at 7:22 PM
Thank you for your input. I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. I will look into the
NANDA-I taxonomy for further assistance. Once again, thank you for your time and
information. It was very helpful.
Raena
Reply

May 31, 2019 at 10:47 PM
You’re very much welcome! Please feel free to ask further questions. Thank you and goodluck!
Reply
29 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Phantom
May 31, 2019 at 12:29 PM
Thanks, I look forward to learning more from you and maybe joining you in writing once am
done with school. It’s awesome.
Reply
Teketel Tesfaye
July 6, 2019 at 11:55 PM
Comment: good explanation of health issue pattern
Reply
Ajayi Patrick
July 18, 2019 at 6:42 AM
This is great. Thanks for given your time to this. Is so educative. Up thumb
Reply
Sandra Zapata
July 26, 2019 at 2:29 AM
30 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Hi I am a bit lost with risk doagnoses. According to the last esition of NANDAI. Risk dx do not
have related factors. Instead they are supposed to have evidence of the risk facrors. Thus the
label should read. Risk for infection as evidenced by inadequate vaccination habits. Could you
please clarify this for me? Thanks!!
Reply
Esther magige
September 18, 2019 at 9:21 PM
Sorry madam the risk factors thus the potential problem has the related factors not the sign
and symptom because that something has not happed yet so there is no sign and symptoms.
Thank you
Reply
Hezekia sanga
August 5, 2019 at 4:17 AM
Thanks alot am so interested on this
Reply
Abera Mersha
August 22, 2019 at 6:06 PM
Great Work!
Reply
31 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
felicien niyomukiza
August 24, 2019 at 10:14 PM
THANK, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR THE RESOURCEFUL INFORMATION.
Reply
Usman Hauwa Kulu

September 10, 2019 at 1:31 AM
Thank you for the resourceful information which I was thought in school but almost forgotten
until now, brain refresh, thanks
Reply
KIZA Daniel
Excellent job done congratulations to all the team worker .
Reply
Mildred Edna Assusi

32 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Each time I research about nursing diagnoses, there is something new to learn. This is a very
well written piece giving great insights about nursing. More than ever, I have a better
understanding of the unique body of nursing knowledge. Bravo to the Matt and entire
Nurseslabs team
Reply

January 24, 2020 at 3:48 PM
Thank you! Be sure to visit also our nursing care plans here.
Reply
David Mbogo Gatundu

Excellent work and expertise team work
Reply
Narmatha agilan
September 23, 2019 at 8:10 AM
Usefull information
Reply
33 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Prosper Philemon Mshelia

October 24, 2019 at 6:25 AM
Nice work Sir/Madam thank you for giving us more hints on Nursing Diagnoses. Excellent team
work.
Reply
Dinatu B.
Thank you so much for this nursing diagnosis.
Reply
Mary DeLong
November 2, 2019 at 4:16 AM
Hello Matt,
I am a nursing educator and just was browsing through your CarePlan information on this site.
You have done an excellent job on this content! I just wanted to reach out and let you know
that I will be encouraging my students to use your articles – they are based on very good
resources, they follow NANDA-I, and are clear and comprehensive. Well done!
Reply

November 20, 2019 at 4:52 PM
Hi Mary,
34 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Thanks you so much for your comment and endorsement. We welcome your students, thanks
again!
Reply
Ruth
Formulations of the DX has been hectic but thanks to matt vera has been of great help
especally answering medsurge quizes just try to expand more on the second part (related to)of
actual diagnosis
Reply

Hi Ruth,
Thank you!
Reply
Max
December 4, 2019 at 2:27 AM
Very useful indeed. thank you
Reply
35 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Miguel Beauchamp
January 30, 2020 at 10:40 AM
I’m practicing nursing diagnosis by using the practice case studies my professor provided but
I’m not sure if I’m doing it correctly. Here’s what I’m thinking:
Problem:Anxiety
Etiology: morning bouts of fear
Signs and symptoms: patient stated waking nervous, light headed, agitated, and having a
pounding heart
Anxiety related to morning bouts of fear as evidenced by patient’s reports of waking light
headed, agitated, and having a pounding heart.
In this case study we know to patient has been experiencing anxiety since childhood and was
verbally abused by his father. His anxiety is causing difficulties for him to make decisions and
he fears he’ll experience misfortunes whenever going to school. We also know about these
bouts he has ever morning, which I thought would be a good primary diagnosis because they
almost seem like a panic attack which would be extreme anxiety which is a big deal right? Am I
thinking about this the right way or not and if not, what should I be concerned about as most
important and how should my diagnosis be worded?
Reply
36 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM

The nursing diagnostic statement you made sounds right. For the “as evidenced by” part, I
would add the statement of the patient in verbatim since this is a subjective data (place it also
under quotation marks) and if possible, do your own assessment and objectively obtain the
data.
I would write it this way:
Anxiety related to morning bouts of fear as evidenced by increased in heart rate,

apprehensiveness, and patient stating “waking lightheaded, agitated, and having a pounding
heart”
Reply
Rubangakene denish
Very nice
Reply
OWINY GODFREY GRAHAM

June 12, 2020 at 11:38 AM
well precised and nice to read.
Reply
37 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Hamza Idyy Nsiha

June 21, 2020 at 9:47 PM
Thanks so much for this readings, am so interested with this website I hope i could use this for
my whole time
Reply
Hai Mai Ba
August 8, 2020 at 10:01 AM
Hello Professor Matt Vera
I am Mai Ba Hai, from Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy,faculty of nursing.I found that
this content is very useful and helpful to me. I think that this content is really fit to my teaching,
so I would like to ask your permission that I can translate this content into my languages
(Vietnamese) to teach for my nursing students in Vietnam. I will cite you as author of this
document. If you are willing to help in this point I really appreciate about it. I am looking
forward to receiving your agreement. Yours sincerely.
Reply
Olanrewaju opeyemi
This is so fantastic!!
Thank you for taking out time to create this wonderful piece
Reply
38 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Chrisantus Nchagakie
October 10, 2020 at 12:20 PM
You guys are wonderful. Thanks so much.
Reply
MUSA IDRIS Tambuwal

Very nice and very interested More ink to your pen I pray
Reply
jittima kanjanapairoj
Very useful, thank you so much
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Birhanu Muleta
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November 28, 2020 at 3:23 PM
Amazing
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Timothy idachaba
December 16, 2020 at 5:13 PM
Thanks so much for the good job. Nurse Timothy Idachaba (RN, RNE, .MSC in view) from
Nigeria
Reply
Mebratu
Matt Vera, BSN, R.N, First, I want to thank you for your amazing, short and precise note you
provided for us.
But I think I’ve got some trouble understanding about 3 components of Nursing diagnosis.
This is because there is some variation between defining characteristics among your examples
of actual and potential nursing diagnosis.
Actual nursing diagnosis
-Ineffective breathing pattern related to decreased lung expansion AS EVIDENCED BY
dyspnoea, coughing, and difficulty of breathing.
Risk diagnosis
-Risk for ineffective airway clearance AS EVIDENCED BY
accumulation_of_secreations_in_the_Lung.
-Risk for fall AS EVIDENCED BY Muscle_weakness
…………………………………………………….
As I know before, risk Nursing diagnosis misses Defining characteristics. because, the problem
is not happened. but it is to happen.
40 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
So, when I compare defining characteristics among actual and risk diagnosis, there is
disagreement.
Accumulation of secretion in the lung is aetiology for ineffective airway clearance.
But you provided it as defining characteristics.
So, please make it clear.
Reply
Purity jompol
March 15, 2021 at 7:32 PM
Well elaborated, i like using nurseslabs, i always understand easily
Reply
Rhodel
March 20, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Educative I appreciate
Reply
Adesola
March 23, 2021 at 9:35 PM
Such a beautiful explanation. Thank you
Reply
41 of 43 7/27/2021, 2:54 PM
Babatunde Olanike Omolara

May 24, 2021 at 2:41 PM
Very comprehensive and understandable. A job Well done by the group
Reply
Hamza Yahaya RN BNSC

June 21, 2021 at 10:04 PM
Nice piece, thanks for painstakingly organizing this concise notes, God bless you
Reply
Mahmoud Rashid
July 16, 2021 at 12:05 AM
Very educative and simple to understand. Thank you for the effort
Reply
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Nursing Diagnosis

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Nursing Diagnosis Guide for 2021: Complete List & Tutorial - Nurseslabs https://nurseslabs.

Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to

Medical Laboratory near You

Diagnostic Process: How to Diagnose

What is a Nursing Diagnosis?

Purposes of Nursing Diagnosis

Differentiating Nursing Diagnoses, Medical Diagnoses, and

COMPARED. Nursing diagnoses vs medical diagnoses vs collaborative problems

NANDA International (NANDA-I)

History and Evolution of Nursing Diagnosis

Classification of Nursing Diagnoses (Taxonomy II)

Medical Laboratory near You

Domain 1. Health Promotion Domain 7. Role relationship

Class 1. Self-concept Domain 13. Growth/Development

NURSING PROCESS. Also known as the “ADPIE”

Types of Nursing Diagnoses

Problem-Focused Nursing Diagnosis

Ineffective Breathing Pattern related to pain as evidenced by pursed-lip breathing, reports of

Risk Nursing Diagnosis

Risk for Falls as evidenced by muscle weakness

Health Promotion Diagnosis

Readiness for Enhanced Spiritual Well Being

Chronic Pain Syndrome

Possible Nursing Diagnosis

Possible Chronic Low Self-Esteem

Components of a Nursing Diagnosis

Problem and Definition

Qualifier Focus of the Diagnosis

Deficient Fluid volume

Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements

Impaired Gas Exchange

Ineffective Tissue Perfusion

Risk for Injury

Diagnostic Process: How to Diagnose

Identifying Health Problems, Risks, and Strengths

Formulating Diagnostic Statements

How to Write a Nursing Diagnosis?

PES FORMAT. Writing nursing diagnoses using the PES format.

One-Part Nursing Diagnosis Statement

Examples of one-part nursing diagnosis statement include:

Readiness for Enhance Breastfeeding

Two-Part Nursing Diagnosis Statement

Risk for Infection as evidenced by compromised host defenses

Three-part Nursing Diagnosis Statement

An actual or problem-focus nursing diagnosis have three-part statements: diagnostic label,

Impaired Physical Mobility related to decreased muscle control as evidenced by inability to

Variations on Basic Statement Formats

Variations in writing nursing diagnosis statement formats include the following:

Nursing Diagnosis for Care Plans

Impaired Urinary Elimination

References and Sources

Ackley, B. J., & Ladwig, G. B. (2010). Nursing Diagnosis Handbook-E-Book: An Evidence-Based

Medicine in the Ineffective Airway Search Nursing Pneumonia Nursing

Ad studyincaribbean.com nurseslabs.com Ad Visymo Search nurseslabs.com

Ad Celeste Angel Medium nurseslabs.com nurseslabs.com nurseslabs.com

Nursing Care Plans, Nursing Diagnosis

Matt Vera, BSN, R.N.

Very useful document indeed.

Matt Vera, BSN, R.N.

This is simple and easy to understand.

I need a complete pdf file

Matt Vera, BSN, R.N.

So very happy to stumble upon nurseslabs. Thanks so much