Acute-On-Chronic nursing diagnosis?

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Hi! I need help choosing nursing diagnosis. My patient had a recent surgery causing acute pain, but this pain is exacerbated by a chronic pain disorder. Therefore, I don't know if my nursing diagnosis should be acute pain, chronic pain, or impaired comfort?? Any ideas?? Thanks!

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Specializes in MCH,NICU,NNsy,Educ,Village Nursing.

What would make the most sense? (this is supposed to be YOUR nursing diagnosis, not one from this board).

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Yes, I realized it should be my diagnosis.. I've written diagnoses out for all three options but I don't know which to chose, because this unique patient has a very unique situation going on, with the acute-on-chronic pain. I don't know which takes priority.

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You don't choose a nursing diagnosis, you make it based on your assessment. Now look at him again. What do you see first?

When you faculty asks you to make diagnoses and prioritize them, they're asking you to defend your opinion. SO...it's up to you. Normally your top priority is addressing whatever will kill him fastest. Next is his most pressing problem, in this case his pain. So what's a good nurse going to to do for him? You decide, and then tell us what you think. You're almost there.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

NDx choice rests upon the defining characteristics, which are gathered from your patient assessment. Whether you're working on care plans or making clinical decisions at the bedside, the first step is always to obtain accurate information/data to inform your choice.

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