Question

Which nursing diagnosis is appropriately written?

1) Risk for Infection related to elevated temperature and white blood count
2) Readiness for Enhanced Relationship as evidenced by mutual respect verbalized by spouses and expressed desire for improved communication
3) Noncompliance related to inability to access care as evidenced by failure to keep appointments, homebound status
4) Risk for Bleeding with the risk factor of prolonged clotting time
5) Chronic Pain related to osteoarthritis as manifested by verbalized postoperative discomfort.

Answer 1

The appropriate nursing diagnosis is 'Risk for Infection related to elevated temperature and white blood count.' This diagnosis is structured correctly with a potential problem and related factors, which are evidenced by signs of infection and inflammation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the nursing diagnoses provided, the most appropriately written one is:

• Risk for Infection related to elevated temperature and white blood count.

• This diagnosis utilizes the correct structure, which includes a problem, an etiology (or related factor), and the symptoms or defining characteristics if needed. 'Risk for Infection' specifies a clinical judgment naming a potential problem for which an individual has environmental, physiologic, psychological, genetic, or chemical elements that place the person at increased risk. The related factors 'elevated temperature and white blood count' clearly connect to the potential for infection, as a fever and elevated white blood cell count are signs of infection and a response to
• inflammation
• .

In contrast, options 2 and 3 include evidence or signs which are not typical for a risk diagnosis, as risk diagnoses should not include signs and symptoms since the problem has not yet occurred. Option 4 is missing the 'as evidenced by' portion that would substantiate the risk diagnosis, and option 5 incorrectly labels a chronic condition as evidenced by an acute (postoperative) situation.