Nursing diagnoses: what about NANDA-I syndromes?

The aim of this paper is to propose a label structure for nursing diagnosis syndromes from NANDA-I.

Worldwide changes and human needs seem to get more complex, offering challenging opportunities for nursing care and to nursing knowledge. Nursing classifications represent nursing knowledge and are critical in guiding clinical practice and patient-centred care.

This discussion paper is based on the analysis of NANDA-I Taxonomy II and related literature.

A total of 13 diagnoses comprise the term 'syndrome'; however, the labels are not consistent with the multiaxial system within the NANDA-I model of a nursing diagnosis. Syndromes require a more specific approach and definition when compared to other type of nursing diagnoses. A new format for describing the label is provided and would be useful in improving current syndromes and in reflecting a more individualized and patient-centred nursing care.

The proposal provided in this paper could raise the quality of nurses' assessment, increase accuracy of NANDA-I nursing diagnoses, promote nurses' clinical reasoning and the adequacy of care. Ultimately, changes should be not only perceived in nurses´ practice but also in nursing education as curricula should promote a critical thinking. Nurse leaders and policymakers could additionally use this in the development of advanced programmes and protocols that could manage and monitorize implementation of advanced care.