Which statement is an example of a correctly written nursing diagnosis statement?

Which statement is an example of a correctly written nursing diagnosis statement?

• A. Ineffective coping related to response to positive biopsy test results
• B. Ineffective coping due to pain
• C. Anxiety related to hospital stay
• D. Risk for infection related to wound

Answer: (A)

Understanding how to write a nursing diagnosis helps you connect the problem to its cause in a way you can act on. The best choice uses the standard format: a clear problem label followed by a cause introduced with related to. Here, the problem is ineffective coping, and it’s linked to the patient’s response to a positive biopsy test result. This makes the diagnosis actionable because it points to focusing on emotional support, coping strategies, and patient education to help the patient work through the news and adapt. Other options fall short because they either use an off-standard linkage or omit defining characteristics. Using due to instead of related to isn’t the conventional nursing-diagnosis phrasing. An anxiety statement without defining characteristics or signs and symptoms is less specific about what confirms the diagnosis. A risk-for diagnosis can be valid, but it should specify clear risk factors or conditions that increase the likelihood of infection, rather than simply naming a wound; without that, it’s harder to guide targeted interventions.

Understanding how to write a nursing diagnosis helps you connect the problem to its cause in a way you can act on. The best choice uses the standard format: a clear problem label followed by a cause introduced with related to. Here, the problem is ineffective coping, and it’s linked to the patient’s response to a positive biopsy test result. This makes the diagnosis actionable because it points to focusing on emotional support, coping strategies, and patient education to help the patient work through the news and adapt.

Other options fall short because they either use an off-standard linkage or omit defining characteristics. Using due to instead of related to isn’t the conventional nursing-diagnosis phrasing. An anxiety statement without defining characteristics or signs and symptoms is less specific about what confirms the diagnosis. A risk-for diagnosis can be valid, but it should specify clear risk factors or conditions that increase the likelihood of infection, rather than simply naming a wound; without that, it’s harder to guide targeted interventions.