Nursing diagnoses are a crucial aspect of nursing care. But, the spelling of the word "diagnoses" can be quite confusing. The IPA phonetic transcription of the word is /ˈdaɪ əgnoʊ siz/. The reason for the plural form is that "diagnosis" is a Latin word that already ends in "-sis", which is a singular suffix in Latin. Therefore, when referring to multiple diagnoses, we use the standard English plural ending, "-es". So, nursing diagnoses refers to the identification of multiple health problems a patient may be experiencing.
Nursing diagnoses refer to the clinical judgments concerning an individual, family, or community's responses to health problems or life processes. It is an integral step in the nursing process, involving the identification and classification of health concerns or issues that nurses are trained to address. Nursing diagnoses encapsulate the assessment of a person's physical, emotional, psychological, and social well-being to determine the appropriate interventions that will promote healing, prevent further complications, or maintain health.
A nursing diagnosis is formulated based on the assessment data collected by the nurse, and it is distinct from a medical diagnosis made by a physician. While a medical diagnosis focuses on identifying diseases or medical conditions, a nursing diagnosis delves into the potential or actual health problems experienced by the patient and their response to these issues. Nursing diagnoses are typically derived from a standardized nursing terminology, such as the NANDA-I (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International), which provides a framework and comprehensive list of nursing diagnoses.
The utilization of nursing diagnoses aids nurses in identifying the priority areas for nursing interventions and developing a personalized care plan for each patient. These diagnoses enable nurses to plan, implement, and evaluate care that is individualized and tailored to meet the unique needs of every patient. The nursing diagnostic process is essential for enhancing patient outcomes and promoting holistic health and well-being by addressing the physical, emotional, social, and environmental aspects of care.
The word "nursing diagnoses" is formed by combining two terms: "nursing" and "diagnoses".
1. Nursing: The term "nursing" originated from the Old English word "norsian", which means "to nourish" or "to foster". It evolved from the Latin word "nutrire", which shares the same meaning. The concept of nursing refers to the care and support provided to individuals who are ill, injured, or in need of assistance to maintain or regain their health.
2. Diagnoses: The term "diagnoses" comes from the Greek word "diagnosis", which means "recognition" or "identification". It is a combination of "dia-" (through) and "gnosis" (knowledge).