What is the difference between a Nursing diagnosis and a Medical diagnosis? know the Differences скачать в хорошем качестве

What is the difference between a Nursing diagnosis and a Medical diagnosis? know the Differences

Being a nurse, you should know the difference between a nursing diagnosis and a medical diagnosis Differences 1. Definition and Purpose A Medical Diagnosis is made by a physician. It involves identifying a specific disease or medical condition based on clinical signs, symptoms, lab results, imaging, and physical examination. For example, if a patient presents with cough, fever, and chest pain, the doctor may diagnose pneumonia based on test findings. On the other hand, a Nursing Diagnosis is a clinical judgment made by a nurse. It focuses on the patient’s response to the medical condition rather than the disease itself. For example, a nurse may diagnose “Ineffective airway clearance related to lung infection” for the same patient with pneumonia. 2. Who Makes the Diagnosis A Medical Diagnosis is made by a licensed physician or a qualified medical practitioner. It is based on detailed medical knowledge and diagnostic testing. A Nursing Diagnosis is made by a registered nurse, usually after performing a comprehensive nursing assessment. It helps in creating a personalized care plan focused on the patient’s needs, emotions, comfort, and recovery process. 3. Focus Area The focus of a Medical Diagnosis is the disease itself – identifying it, treating it, and possibly curing it. It revolves around pathological changes in the body. The focus of a Nursing Diagnosis is on how the patient is affected by the disease – such as their pain, anxiety, mobility issues, or risk of infection. It addresses the patient’s holistic needs – physical, emotional, and psychological. 4. Basis of Diagnosis Medical Diagnoses are based on objective data such as blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, and physical findings. For example, a fractured femur is confirmed through an X-ray. Nursing Diagnoses, however, are based on both subjective data (what the patient reports, such as pain or nausea) and objective data (what the nurse observes, such as skin color or breathing rate). 5. Duration and Flexibility A Medical Diagnosis is usually more long-term or remains until the disease is cured or managed. For example, a diagnosis of hypertension may remain for years. A Nursing Diagnosis can change frequently based on the patient's daily condition. A diagnosis like “Acute pain” may be resolved after a few days of pain management. 6. Role in Care Planning The Medical Diagnosis helps in planning the treatment, such as medication, surgery, or hospital admission. The Nursing Diagnosis helps guide nursing interventions – for example, monitoring vital signs, repositioning the patient, providing emotional support, or health education. 7. Terminology and Classification Medical Diagnoses use terms from the ICD (International Classification of Diseases) maintained by the World Health Organization. Examples include tuberculosis, diabetes, or appendicitis. Nursing Diagnoses use standardized language approved by NANDA-II (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International). These are structured statements like “Impaired mobility related to fracture” or “Risk for infection related to surgical wound.” 8. Goal of Each Diagnosis The goal of a Medical Diagnosis is to identify and treat the disease to restore physical function or manage the illness. The goal of a Nursing Diagnosis is to enhance the patient’s quality of life, promote recovery, prevent complications, and address emotional and psychological needs. 9. Working Together in Practice While doctors focus on curing the disease, nurses focus on caring for the person experiencing the disease. Both types of diagnoses are essential for holistic patient care. For example, a patient with diabetes (medical diagnosis) may also have “Risk for unstable blood glucose” (nursing diagnosis), and both need to be managed together. Conclusion To conclude, Medical Diagnoses identify the disease and guide treatment. Nursing Diagnoses identify how the patient is affected and guide care. Both are important, and understanding their differences helps in improving collaboration and patient outcomes in clinical settings. Thank you!