Nursing Diagnosis Related to Nutrition

Study Notes

Risk nursing diagnoses identify potential nutrition-related issues, including:
- Risk for Aspiration
- Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: More/Less than Body Requirements
Actual nursing diagnoses indicate existing nutrition-related problems, such as:
- Impaired Swallowing
- Feeding: Self-Care Deficit
- Imbalanced Nutrition: More/Less than Body Requirements
Health-promotion nursing diagnoses focus on enhancement opportunities, featuring:
- Readiness for Enhanced Nutrition
- Readiness for Enhanced Knowledge

Components of Nursing Diagnoses

Risk nursing diagnoses combine a diagnosis label with identified risk factors.
- Example: Risk for Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements due to chronic nausea and loss of appetite.
Actual nursing diagnoses consist of a diagnosis label, related factors, and defining characteristics.
- Example: Impaired Swallowing linked to neurologic damage from a cerebrovascular accident, demonstrated by gagging and choking.
Health-promotion nursing diagnoses include a diagnosis label along with confirming characteristics.
- Example: Readiness for Enhanced Nutrition evidenced by desire for a balanced diet and knowledge of nutritional guidelines.

Patient-Centered Goals

For Risk for Aspiration, aim for the patient to show no signs of aspiration, such as maintaining clear lungs and normal respiratory rate during hospitalization.
For Feeding: Self-Care Deficit, the goal involves the patient using assistive devices for self-feeding before discharge.
For Imbalanced Nutrition: Less than Body Requirements, the objective is for the patient to gain 1 to 2 lbs weekly until weight normalizes.
For Imbalanced Nutrition: More than Body Requirements, the target is for the patient to recognize obesity-related factors prior to discharge.
For Readiness for Enhanced Nutrition, the goal is for the patient to identify nutrient-rich food options and express awareness of balanced meal choices before leaving the facility.

Collaborative Care Planning

Individual dietary preferences and cultural/religious nutritional needs must be integrated into care plans.
Registered dietitians provide nutritional education and address psychosocial/economic factors affecting nutrition.
Case managers coordinate necessary services post-discharge, such as durable medical equipment and follow-up care.
Speech therapists play a key role for patients with swallowing impairments requiring restorative therapy.
Psychologists might be consulted when psychological issues influence a patient's nutritional recovery.
Unlicensed assistive personnel assist with feeding tasks.

Case Example

A stroke patient experiences coughing and choking while eating solids and liquids, indicating a potential diagnosis of Impaired Swallowing as determined by failing a swallow evaluation, leading to the consideration of a feeding tube.

Description

Test your understanding of nursing diagnoses concerning nutrition-related issues, including risk, actual, and health-promotion diagnoses. The quiz covers essential components that define these diagnoses and their implications for patient care. Enhance your knowledge and application of nursing diagnoses in a nutritional context.