Example of a Syndrome Nursing Diagnosis

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 87 views

Introduction

Nursing diagnoses are a crucial aspect of nursing practice, as they provide a framework for identifying and addressing the unique needs of patients. Syndrome nursing diagnoses, in particular, are used to describe a group of related symptoms or conditions that are characteristic of a specific disease or disorder. In this article, we will explore the three-part format used to document syndrome nursing diagnoses, including the nursing diagnosis, etiology, and cues.

The Three-Part Format

Syndrome nursing diagnoses are documented using a three-part format, which includes:

Nursing Diagnosis

The nursing diagnosis is a statement that describes the patient's health problem or condition. It is a concise and specific statement that identifies the patient's needs and priorities. The nursing diagnosis should be written in the present tense and should include the following elements:

A verb that describes the patient's condition (e.g., "is experiencing")
A noun that describes the patient's health problem (e.g., "pain")
A modifier that describes the severity or intensity of the patient's condition (e.g., "severe")

Example: "The patient is experiencing severe pain."

Etiology

The etiology is a statement that describes the underlying cause or reason for the patient's health problem. It is a brief explanation of why the patient is experiencing the symptoms or conditions described in the nursing diagnosis. The etiology should be written in the past tense and should include the following elements:

A verb that describes the cause of the patient's condition (e.g., "developed")
A noun that describes the underlying cause (e.g., "infection")
A modifier that describes the severity or intensity of the underlying cause (e.g., "severe")

Example: "The patient developed a severe infection."

Cues

The cues are a list of specific observations or data that support the nursing diagnosis and etiology. They are a collection of information that helps to confirm the patient's health problem and identify the underlying cause. The cues should be written in the present tense and should include the following elements:

A verb that describes the observation or data (e.g., "is experiencing")
A noun that describes the observation or data (e.g., "pain")
A modifier that describes the severity or intensity of the observation or data (e.g., "severe")

Example: "The patient is experiencing severe pain in the lower back."

Example of a Syndrome Nursing Diagnosis

Here is an example of a syndrome nursing diagnosis that includes the nursing diagnosis, etiology, and cues:

Nursing Diagnosis: The patient is experiencing severe pain.
Etiology: The patient developed a severe infection.
Cues: The patient is experiencing severe pain in the lower back, has a fever of 102°F, and has a white blood cell count of 15,000.

Conclusion

In conclusion, syndrome nursing diagnoses are an essential aspect of nursing practice, as they provide a framework for identifying and addressing the unique needs of patients. The three-part format used to document syndrome nursing diagnoses includes the nursing diagnosis, etiology, and cues. By understanding and using this format, nurses can provide high-quality care and improve patient outcomes.

References

American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing diagnoses: Definitions and classification, 2015-2020.
North American Nursing Diagnosis Association. (2018). NANDA-I nursing diagnoses: Definitions and classification, 2018-2022.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a syndrome nursing diagnosis?

A: A syndrome nursing diagnosis is a statement that describes a group of related symptoms or conditions that are characteristic of a specific disease or disorder.

Q: What is the three-part format used to document syndrome nursing diagnoses?

A: The three-part format includes the nursing diagnosis, etiology, and cues.

Q: What is the nursing diagnosis?

A: The nursing diagnosis is a statement that describes the patient's health problem or condition.

Q: What is the etiology?

A: The etiology is a statement that describes the underlying cause or reason for the patient's health problem.

Q: What are the cues?

Q: What is a syndrome nursing diagnosis?

A: A syndrome nursing diagnosis is a statement that describes a group of related symptoms or conditions that are characteristic of a specific disease or disorder. It is a concise and specific statement that identifies the patient's needs and priorities.

Q: What is the three-part format used to document syndrome nursing diagnoses?

A: The three-part format includes the nursing diagnosis, etiology, and cues. The nursing diagnosis is a statement that describes the patient's health problem or condition, the etiology is a statement that describes the underlying cause or reason for the patient's health problem, and the cues are a list of specific observations or data that support the nursing diagnosis and etiology.

Q: What is the nursing diagnosis?

A: The nursing diagnosis is a statement that describes the patient's health problem or condition. It is a concise and specific statement that identifies the patient's needs and priorities. The nursing diagnosis should be written in the present tense and should include the following elements:

A verb that describes the patient's condition (e.g., "is experiencing")
A noun that describes the patient's health problem (e.g., "pain")
A modifier that describes the severity or intensity of the patient's condition (e.g., "severe")

Q: What is the etiology?

A: The etiology is a statement that describes the underlying cause or reason for the patient's health problem. It is a brief explanation of why the patient is experiencing the symptoms or conditions described in the nursing diagnosis. The etiology should be written in the past tense and should include the following elements:

A verb that describes the cause of the patient's condition (e.g., "developed")
A noun that describes the underlying cause (e.g., "infection")
A modifier that describes the severity or intensity of the underlying cause (e.g., "severe")

Q: What are the cues?

A: The cues are a list of specific observations or data that support the nursing diagnosis and etiology. They are a collection of information that helps to confirm the patient's health problem and identify the underlying cause. The cues should be written in the present tense and should include the following elements:

A verb that describes the observation or data (e.g., "is experiencing")
A noun that describes the observation or data (e.g., "pain")
A modifier that describes the severity or intensity of the observation or data (e.g., "severe")

Q: How do I document a syndrome nursing diagnosis?

A: To document a syndrome nursing diagnosis, you should use the three-part format, which includes the nursing diagnosis, etiology, and cues. You should also include the following elements:

A clear and concise statement of the nursing diagnosis
A brief explanation of the etiology
A list of specific observations or data that support the nursing diagnosis and etiology

Q: What are the benefits of using syndrome nursing diagnoses?

A: The benefits of using syndrome nursing diagnoses include:

Improved patient outcomes
Enhanced patient satisfaction
Increased efficiency and effectiveness of care
Improved communication among healthcare providers

Q: How do I prioritize syndrome nursing diagnoses?

A: To prioritize syndrome nursing diagnoses, you should consider the following factors:

The severity of the patient's condition
The urgency of the patient's needs
The patient's goals and priorities
The patient's values and preferences

Q: What are some common syndrome nursing diagnoses?

A: Some common syndrome nursing diagnoses include:

Acute pain
Anxiety
Depression
Infection
Respiratory distress

Q: How do I develop a plan of care for a patient with a syndrome nursing diagnosis?

A: To develop a plan of care for a patient with a syndrome nursing diagnosis, you should consider the following steps:

Assess the patient's needs and priorities
Develop a clear and concise statement of the nursing diagnosis
Identify the underlying cause or reason for the patient's health problem
Develop a list of specific observations or data that support the nursing diagnosis and etiology
Develop a plan of care that addresses the patient's needs and priorities

Conclusion

In conclusion, syndrome nursing diagnoses are an essential aspect of nursing practice, as they provide a framework for identifying and addressing the unique needs of patients. By understanding and using the three-part format, nurses can provide high-quality care and improve patient outcomes.