So two weeks back I had this patient with an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis. And for my concept map for this patient I'd made three very lovely nursing diagnoses:
"Diarrhea r/t bowel inflammation and intestinal hyperactivity AEB frequent loose, liquid stools (> 10 per day)"; "Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements r/t decreased intake, decreased absorption, and increased nutrient loss through diarrhea AEB weakness, lethargy"; "Acute pain r/t hyperperistalsis, prolonged diarrhea, skin and tissue irritation, perirectal excoriation, fissures, fistulas AEB cramping abdominal pain".
Nice, eh?
My nursing professor looked at my concept map and noted that my patient had abnormally low calcium levels. She said, "I can think of a more important nursing diagnosis". Since hypocalcemia can affect the cardiac system, which is obviously going to be a priority, I have to do it on 'fluid and electrolyte imbalance'.
So anyway, I'm looking through my nursing care plan textbook and I don't know what I'd use.
I don't see "Electrolyte imbalance" in here, but I DO see "Risk for electrolyte imbalance".
So would my nursing diagnosis be "Risk for electrolyte imbalance r/t diarrhea", or "risk for electrolyte imbalance r/t hypocalcemia"? Or would it just be "Risk for electrolyte imbalance"?
