Final answer:
A priority nursing diagnosis is the most urgent nursing problem that needs to be addressed first in a patient's care plan. Nursing diagnoses are clinical judgments made by nurses based on a patient's assessment data to identify health problems.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of nursing, a priority nursing diagnosis refers to the most urgent and important nursing problem that needs to be addressed first in a patient's care plan. It is determined by considering the patient's condition, potential risks, and immediate needs. Examples of priority nursing diagnoses include impaired gas exchange, acute pain, and ineffective breathing pattern.
On the other hand, a nursing diagnosis is a clinical judgment made by a nurse based on a patient's assessment data. It identifies the actual or potential health problems that a nurse can treat independently or collaboratively with other healthcare professionals. Nursing diagnoses help in planning, implementing, and evaluating patient care. Examples of nursing diagnoses include risk for infection, impaired mobility, and imbalanced nutrition.