Postpartum diagnosis

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2009

a nursing diagnosis is a name placed on a nursing problem. to have a problem there must be evidence of it which is why the assessment is done. during assessment we find what is abnormal and those things become signs and symptoms supporting nursing problems (nursing diagnoses). for example, an episiotomy is not a normal finding in anyone. i don't have one. do you have one? even though it was created by the doctor it is still an incision in the skin and it isn't normal for it to be there. what is that in nursing language? impaired tissue integrity and it's a nursing problem. one of the best ways to become familiar with nursing diagnoses is to get a copy of the taxonomy (a listing of all the nursing diagnoses, their definitions, defining characteristics and related factors) and just read through it. read the information that is listed for each nursing diagnosis and see how it all is related and fits together. this taxonomy information is listed in the appendix of recent editions of taber's cyclopedic medical dictionary and many of the commercial diagnosis references. it is information that nanda has put together and prepared for us nurses. diagnosing is not something we should be doing by guesswork. there is actual thought and thinking that goes into it. however, honing your skill in assessment and knowledge of the pathophysiology of disease and medical conditions are also extremely important factors that go into this decision making of diagnosis. i could give you knowledge you lack, but you really need to learn it for yourself because this issue is going to come up again with regard to other medical diseases and conditions where you will need to determine what the nursing problems are. you have to open some books and educate yourself about the pathophysiology, signs, symptoms and complications connected with the breast, fundus, lochia, episiotomy or cesarean, homan sign, and clonus.

care4u2010 · Sep 18, 2009

Thanks Daytonite. I have been studying all night. I am on it. When you need help you have to get it for yourself in nursing. No one can do critical thinking for you. My eyes have become open to the real world. Study is my first, middle and last name. My care plans are going to be so good that my instructor is going to post it on the wall. Thanks again for your motivational words of wisdom. :up: