Hyperthermia is a body temperature above 104°F (40°C). Hyperthermia occurs when the body’s thermoregulatory system fails, after being exposed to too much heat or when the body generates more heat than it can release. Heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke from long periods in high temperatures are preventable. Other causes such as … Read more

Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements often characterized by loose stools and urgency. Diarrhea can be acute (lasting only a few days) or chronic (lasting for weeks). Mild cases will resolve on their own while more severe cases may be a sign of a more serious illness such as ulcerative colitis, … Read more

Impaired comfort is a multidimensional diagnosis used to describe the physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual challenges a patient encounters. Comfort levels vary between patients and age groups and are dynamic. It is recommended the nurse assess for a specific cause of impaired comfort as much as possible in order to best intervene. Pain and … Read more

Social isolation and loneliness may not at first seem like a significant problem. However, it has the potential to be debilitating to patients and has major impacts on their quality of life. While all patients may be at risk for isolation, older adults have the highest risk due to the loss of spouses and friends, … Read more

Ineffective coping is the inability to manage, respond to, or make decisions surrounding a stressful situation. Stressors and everyday demands such as work schedules, school deadlines, and family needs can compound on top of more serious stressors, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. Patients dealing with chronic, life-altering, or even terminal … Read more

Ineffective health maintenance incorporates components of related nursing diagnoses. Specific diagnoses such as impaired communication, confusion, grieving, hopelessness, spiritual distress, and many others can correlate to ineffective health maintenance. Regardless of the reason, it prevents the patient from identifying, managing, or seeking help to maintain their health. Ineffective health maintenance can be the result of … Read more

A knowledge deficit in health related knowledge is a lack of information needed for a thorough understanding of a disease process, health behaviors or the recommended treatments. Adequate health knowledge also includes the ability to make informed choices about health and carrying out tasks in alignment with health maintenance. A common barrier to understanding health-related … Read more

Impaired physical mobility is a common nursing diagnosis that is often multifactorial. It can be a temporary, permanent or worsening problem and has the potential to create more significant issues such as skin breakdown, infections, falls, and social isolation. Advancing age is the most common risk factor of impaired physical mobility, increasing morbidity and mortality … Read more

Ineffective tissue perfusion describes the lack of oxygenated blood flow to areas of the body. Proper perfusion is detrimental to the function of organs and body systems, as organs and tissues that are not perfusing will be damaged and could eventually lead to death. Nurses must understand the causes of inadequate perfusion, assessment, monitoring, and … Read more

An ineffective breathing pattern is defined as inspiration and/or expiration that does not provide adequate oxygenation. This diagnosis is related to the observed rate and depth of breathing, as well as abnormal chest expansion, and accessory muscle use that results in a breathing pattern that does not supply adequate ventilation to the body. The ABCs; … Read more