What is the purpose of a nursing diagnosis?

The purpose of a nursing diagnosis is centered on identifying patient problems or needs. This is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice, as it provides a clear basis for creating tailored care plans that address the specific issues affecting the patient's health. By accurately assessing and diagnosing these problems, nurses can prioritize care interventions, enhance communication with the healthcare team, and improve patient outcomes.

A nursing diagnosis serves as a critical starting point in the nursing process, which involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. This structured approach ensures that nurses have an organized framework for delivering effective patient-centered care. Identifying the specific needs allows nurses to develop targeted interventions that directly address the challenges the patient is facing, thus playing a vital role in optimizing the overall care experience.

While organizing care plans, ensuring legal compliance, and evaluating treatment outcomes are all important aspects of nursing, they are secondary functions that stem from the initial identification of patient problems or needs. Without a clear understanding of what those problems are, the other processes cannot be effectively carried out.