How is a nursing diagnosis different from a medical diagnosis?

A nursing diagnosis is distinct from a medical diagnosis because it specifically describes a health problem that can be addressed through nursing interventions. This type of diagnosis takes into account not only the physical aspects of a patient’s condition but also their emotional, social, and environmental factors, reflecting the holistic approach of nursing care. Nursing diagnoses are used to guide nursing practice, aiming to promote patient well-being and facilitate recovery.

Medical diagnoses, on the other hand, are typically made by a physician and focus on identifying diseases and conditions based on pathological and physiological findings. This difference highlights how nursing diagnoses emphasize the patient's response to health issues rather than the disease itself, enabling nurses to develop tailored care plans to meet individual patient needs.