First care plan help - stuck at step 1 writing the nursing diagnosis

[tsm007]

Okay, I am writing my first care plan and don't know where to begin. We are given a patient history, scenario, patient exam and also given the diagnosis to choose from. We are supposed to pick 2. I have picked my two diagnosis that I want to use and think I have a decent idea where to go with picking nursing interventions and filling in the assessment data, goals, and interventions.

I am stuck though on how to write the nursing dx. The dx I have picked is knowledge deficit. This is where I am confused. Patient has a deficit in knowledge on smoking cessation and safe sexual practices.

Do you include both deficits in one dx or would this actually be two separate dx?

Is the dx written as "knowledge deficit related to smoking cessation as manifested by...." or is it written as "knowledge deficit: smoking cessation, related to... as manifested by..."?

If I can include both smoking cessation and safe sexual practices same question as above - would it be written as "knowledge deficit related to smoking cessation and safe sexual practices as manifested by..." or is it written "knowledge deficit: smoking cessation and safe sexual practices as manifested by..."

Or am I getting this all wrong?

Also, are the related to factors set in stone? Should I only use related factors from the NANDA book? I have bought this book and one other care plan book so far, but do plan to buy more. Just have to pace myself on spending.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

Yes, I actually discovered her posts already. Even went as far to look to see if she was still around. Her posts are amazingly helpful. Thanks for the links.

She passed away April 2010. She said it best. I keep her posts going just because they are that good. Not everyone searches the site so it is diffucult to know where to begin.

Grn Tea, Ashley are awesome as well. I hope we helped.

[tsm007]

OK, where is the smoking hx?

I decided to use the sexual history based on Maslow. I thought it took higher priority than smoking since she already contracted hep B from unsafe sex practices. It was kind of hard to decide which one of those would be a bigger priority. Anyhow, that's why I didn't list the smoking history info since I am just dropping it down to the one ND.

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

how about looking for evidence of risk-prone health behavior, or ineffective health maintenance, or ... oh, wait-- you said they gave you data and the nursing diagnoses and you had to choose among them? geez louise, no wonder students get confused in school.

well, later on remember this: data first, diagnosis second.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

yeah with the info given i was thinking along your lines....but apparently that wasn't an option.

how about looking for evidence of risk-prone health behavior, or ineffective health maintenance, or ... oh, wait-- you said they gave you data and the nursing diagnoses and you had to choose among them? geez louise, no wonder students get confused in school.

well, later on remember this: data first, diagnosis second.