Nursing Dx help- what to put for r/t

[fatrabbit]

I'm kind of confused on what to put and what not to put on the r/t section. Can we use a medical diagnosis as the r/t? For example impaired gas exchange r/t emphysema. Or, can we only use the r/t factors given in NANDA? For example: impaired gas exchange r/t alveolar-capillary changes.

Thanks ahead of time for clarifying this for me.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

No, medical conditioms are a no-no for r/t. Can use it as s/t though.

[fatrabbit]

Thanks. Also, I'm looking through my nursing Dx handbook and for "impaired gas exchange" it lists only two r/t factors (ventilation-perfusion imbalance or alveolar-capillary changes). Are those the only r/t factors that can be used for that Dx? Can we come up with our own r/t (as long as it's not a medical condition)?

Also, what does s/t mean (sorry, new student here)

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Thanks. Also, I'm looking through my nursing Dx handbook and for "impaired gas exchange" it lists only two r/t factors (ventilation-perfusion imbalance or alveolar-capillary changes). Are those the only r/t factors that can be used for that Dx? Can we come up with our own r/t (as long as it's not a medical condition)?

Also, what does s/t mean (sorry, new student here)

S/t = secondary to

Such as imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements r/t poor food intake s/t anorexia nervosa AEB weight loss of 5 lbs in 1 week, BMI of 17

[RescueNinjaKy]

You could try r/t increased secretions, or weak productive cough or things like that.

[canigraduate]

Your "related to" needs to say what is going wrong with the body that is causing the diagnosis.

Your formula for a diagnosis should be PROBLEM (diagnosis) + CAUSE (related to) + MEDICAL PROBLEM (optional secondary to) + SYMPTOMS (as evidenced by)

For example:

Impaired gas exchange (problem) related to decreased alveolar surface (cause of your problem) secondary to emphysema (medical name for your problem) as evidenced by shortness of breath and decreased O2 saturation (symptoms that tell you there is a problem).