Nursing diagnosis is a critical step in creating effective care plans. Utilizing a standardized language ensures clear communication among healthcare providers and improves patient outcomes. NANDA International (NANDA-I) provides a globally recognized classification system for nursing diagnoses, offering a structured approach to identifying, labeling, and validating patient needs. This guide provides a categorized overview of commonly used NANDA-I nursing diagnoses, essential for nursing students and practicing nurses in developing comprehensive care plans.
The following table, adapted from Open RN resources, organizes sample NANDA-I diagnoses by domain. These domains represent areas of human functioning and provide a framework for clustering assessment data and selecting appropriate diagnoses. Understanding these categories is fundamental to creating patient-centered care plans that address holistic needs.
| Domain | Class & Nursing Diagnosis |
|---|---|
| Health Promotion | Health Awareness – Sedentary lifestyle Health Management – Frail elderly syndrome – Ineffective health maintenance |
| Nutrition | Ingestion – Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements – Readiness for enhanced nutrition – Impaired swallowing Metabolism – Risk for unstable blood glucose level Hydration – Risk for electrolyte imbalance – Deficient fluid volume – Excess fluid volume – Risk for imbalanced fluid volume |
| Elimination and Exchange | Urinary function – Impaired urinary elimination – Functional urinary incontinence – Overflow urinary incontinence – Reflex urinary incontinence – Stress urinary incontinence – Urge urinary incontinence – Urinary retention Gastrointestinal function – Constipation – Risk for constipation – Diarrhea – Bowel incontinence Respiratory function – Impaired gas exchange |
| Activity/Rest | Sleep/Rest – Insomnia – Disturbed sleep pattern Activity/Rest – Risk for disuse syndrome – Impaired bed mobility – Impaired physical mobility – Impaired wheelchair mobility – Impaired sitting – Impaired standing – Impaired transfer ability – Impaired walking Energy balance – Fatigue – Wandering Cardiovascular/Pulmonary responses – Activity intolerance – Ineffective breathing pattern – Decreased cardiac output – Ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion Self-care – Bathing self-care deficit – Dressing self-care deficit – Feeding self-care deficit – Toileting self-care deficit |
| Perception/Cognition | Attention – Unilateral neglect Cognition – Acute confusion – Chronic confusion – Deficient knowledge – Readiness for enhanced knowledge – Impaired memory Communication – Readiness for enhanced communication – Impaired verbal communication |
| Self-Perception | Self-concept – Hopelessness – Readiness for enhanced self-concept Self-esteemd – Chronic low self-esteem Body image – Disturbed body image |
| Role Relationship | Caregiving roles – Caregiver role strain – Risk for caregiver role strain Family relationships – Dysfunctional family processes Role performance – Impaired social interaction |
| Sexuality | Sexual function – Sexual dysfunction |
| Coping/Stress Tolerance | Post-trauma responses – Risk for relocation stress syndrome Coping responses – Anxiety – Ineffective coping – Death anxiety – Fear – Grieving – Complicated grieving – Powerlessness Neurobehavioral stress – Risk for autonomic dysreflexia |
| Life Principles | – Readiness for enhanced spiritual well-being – Decisional conflict – Spiritual distress |
| Safety/Protection | Infection – Risk for infection Physical injury – Ineffective airway clearance – Risk for aspiration – Risk for bleeding – Risk for falls – Risk for injury – Impaired dentition – Risk for pressure ulcer – Impaired skin integrity – Impaired tissue integrity Violence – Risk for suicide Environmental hazards – Risk for poisoning Defensive processes – Risk for allergy response Thermoregulation – Hyperthermia – Hypothermia |
| Comfort | Physical comfort – Impaired comfort – Nausea – Acute pain – Chronic pain Social comfort – Risk for loneliness |
| Growth/Development | – Risk for delayed development |
Table A sample NANDA I Diagnoses by Domain
NANDA-I diagnoses are categorized into domains such as ‘Health Promotion,’ ‘Nutrition,’ ‘Activity/Rest,’ and ‘Safety/Protection,’ among others. Within each domain, diagnoses are further organized by class, providing a granular level of specificity. For example, within the ‘Safety/Protection’ domain, you’ll find diagnoses related to ‘Infection,’ ‘Physical injury,’ and ‘Violence.’ This structured format aids nurses in systematically assessing patients and formulating accurate diagnoses.
Sample NANDA-I Diagnoses Table for Nursing Care Plans
Utilizing this table of Nanda Approved Nursing Diagnosis Care Plans is an excellent starting point for students learning to create care plans and for experienced nurses seeking a quick reference. Remember to consult comprehensive nursing care planning resources for detailed information on each diagnosis, including defining characteristics, related factors, and interventions. By effectively using NANDA-I, nurses can ensure their care plans are precise, patient-focused, and contribute to high-quality healthcare delivery.
