What does the etiology in a nursing diagnosis represent?

What does the etiology in a nursing diagnosis represent?

• A. The cause; identifies physiologic, psychological, sociologic, spiritual, or environmental factors assumed to be the cause of the problem or contributing factor.
• B. The signs and symptoms supporting the problem
• C. The health status as identified in NANDA-I
• D. The patient goals

Answer: (A)

Etiology in a nursing diagnosis refers to the cause or contributing factors behind the problem. It includes physiologic, psychological, sociologic, spiritual, or environmental factors that are assumed to cause or contribute to the diagnosis and that nursing care can influence. The signs and symptoms are the defining characteristics that support the diagnosis, not the cause. The health status identified in NANDA-I is the diagnostic label itself, and goals are the desired outcomes—so they’re not the etiologic factors.

Etiology in a nursing diagnosis refers to the cause or contributing factors behind the problem. It includes physiologic, psychological, sociologic, spiritual, or environmental factors that are assumed to cause or contribute to the diagnosis and that nursing care can influence. The signs and symptoms are the defining characteristics that support the diagnosis, not the cause. The health status identified in NANDA-I is the diagnostic label itself, and goals are the desired outcomes—so they’re not the etiologic factors.