Which statement accurately describes a risk diagnosis?

Which statement accurately describes a risk diagnosis?

• A. It describes the actual health problem currently present.
• B. It consists of a problem and the etiology only; there are no signs and symptoms because it hasn't happened yet
• C. It describes readiness to enhance well-being
• D. It describes wellness levels

Answer: (B)

In nursing diagnoses, a risk diagnosis looks ahead to a potential problem. It includes the problem and the factors that could cause it (the etiology), but it does not include signs or symptoms because the issue hasn’t occurred yet. That’s why this statement—comprising a problem and its etiology with no signs or symptoms—best describes a risk diagnosis. For example, “risk for impaired skin integrity related to prolonged immobility” has the problem and the contributing factor, but there are no current signs of skin breakdown. In contrast, an actual health problem would show evidence in the form of signs and symptoms, and statements about readiness to enhance well-being or wellness levels point to different types of diagnoses altogether.

In nursing diagnoses, a risk diagnosis looks ahead to a potential problem. It includes the problem and the factors that could cause it (the etiology), but it does not include signs or symptoms because the issue hasn’t occurred yet. That’s why this statement—comprising a problem and its etiology with no signs or symptoms—best describes a risk diagnosis. For example, “risk for impaired skin integrity related to prolonged immobility” has the problem and the contributing factor, but there are no current signs of skin breakdown. In contrast, an actual health problem would show evidence in the form of signs and symptoms, and statements about readiness to enhance well-being or wellness levels point to different types of diagnoses altogether.