Formulating Nursing Diagnoses

[ModelMom, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Hi Everyone,

I just finished my first nursing quiz, and got an 85%, due to the fact that I can not "for the love of me" understand the portion of the nursing diagnosis labeled etiology. My book's definition is unclear, and if I think of it as a "risk factor", I feel like I confuse it with the problem. I need a better understanding of the etiology, and telling it apart from the problem in some cases, in order to ace my first nursing exam. Any help is greatly appreciated :) Also, how is an 85% on my first nursing quiz viewed in the grand scheme of things?

Thanks Again,

ModelMom

[Daytonite, BSN, RN]

etiology is explained below.

the construction of the 3-part diagnostic statement follows this format:

p (problem) - e (etiology) - s (symptoms)

• problem - this is the nursing diagnosis. a nursing diagnosis is actually a label. to be clear as to what the diagnosis means, read its definition in a nursing diagnosis reference or a care plan book that contains this information. the appendix of taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary has this information.
  
• etiology - also called the related factor by nanda. this is what is causing the problem. it is the reason the problem exists and reasons can be many and varied. ask yourself "why did this happen?" or "how did this problem come about?" "what caused this to become a problem in the first place?" and dig deep. consider the medical diagnosis, the medical treatments that were ordered and the patient's ability to perform their adls. pathophysiologies need to be examined to find these etiologies if they are of a physiologic origin. it is considered unprofessional to list a medical diagnosis, so a medical condition must be stated in generic physiological terms. you can sneak a medical diagnosis in by listing a physiological cause and then stating "secondary to (the medical disease)" if your instructors will allow this.
  
• symptoms - also called defining characteristics by nanda, these are the abnormal data items that are discovered during the patient assessment. they can also be the same signs and symptoms of the medical disease the patient has, the patient's responses to their disease, and problems accomplishing their adls. they are evidence that prove the existence of the nursing problem. if you are unsure that a symptom belongs with a nursing problem, refer to a nursing diagnosis reference. these symptoms will be the focus of your nursing interventions and goals.
  

[ModelMom, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Thank you very much :) Your reply was very helpful!