is there any difference between nursing problems and nursing dx???

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 3, 2013

Nursing diagnoses are specified in the NANDA-I 2012-2014 (current edition) and are the only ones you can call a nursing diagnosis (see many, many threads here for info on that, many in the Student fora).

I suppose on kind of nursing problem might be being underpaid, or not having enough spaces in the parking garage, or having a hard time finding comfortable footwear, or having your underwear show through white scrubs-- these will not appear in NANDA-I.

Ask her to give you examples, and perhaps we can clarify for you.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 3, 2013

A nursing problem as an example is "pain management" and the diagnosis would be found in NANDA. Any nursing diagnosis has to be the end result of the problem. Theory as opposed to "chronic disease". Ineffective Health Maitenence is one of my favorites, and as an LPN in my state I can't create care plans (except for the 953 I had to do in school!! LOL)--there's lots of care plan information, but the diagnosis is the "title" of the plan (discharge planning, ineffective coping skills, spiritual distress

Give me the patient who states "oh God, why me" and I have a nursing problem of "spiritual distress" and look up the co-ordinating care plan.

In some EMARS, a "problem list" is common. It is the list of things that you assess in the patient that are lacking or need to be accomplished or the patient needs education on, and there's where it then turns into the nursing diagnosis, and care plans to interventions to outcomes.

It oh so will get easier as time goes on!! Good luck!!

numen_007 · Apr 4, 2013

thanks!!!!!! that helps lol

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Apr 5, 2013

A nursing problem as an example is "pain management" and the diagnosis would be found in NANDA. Any nursing diagnosis has to be the end result of the problem. Theory as opposed to "chronic disease". Ineffective Health Maitenence is one of my favorites, and as an LPN in my state I can't create care plans (except for the 953 I had to do in school!! LOL)--there's lots of care plan information, but the diagnosis is the "title" of the plan (discharge planning, ineffective coping skills, spiritual distress
Give me the patient who states "oh God, why me" and I have a nursing problem of "spiritual distress" and look up the co-ordinating care plan.
In some EMARS, a "problem list" is common. It is the list of things that you assess in the patient that are lacking or need to be accomplished or the patient needs education on, and there's where it then turns into the nursing diagnosis, and care plans to interventions to outcomes.
It oh so will get easier as time goes on!! Good luck!!

No, with all due respect, nursing diagnosis is the result of assessment and analysis.

Your patient who says, "Oh God, why me?" may be diagnosed with spiritual distress-- that's a nursing diagnosis, which you, as an LPN, may recognize but are not licensed to diagnose.

I would like to see the OP's examples to clarify the origin of her misunderstanding. If she is in a program leading to NCLEX-RN, she has to get it right for RN scope and standards of practice.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Apr 6, 2013

Any nursing diagnosis has to be the end result of the problem...., and as an LPN in my state I can't create care plans (except for the 953 I had to do in school!! LOL)!!

As stated, as an LPN I do not and can not "diagnose" however, did have to write my own care plans in school---many, many of them. It is also part of the LPN learning. It is confusing, and just attempting to give a general overview.