Public Health

Writing a Nursing Diagnosis for Public Health

1. Identify the Health Problem a. What is the health problem? (This is a synthesis of your community health assessment.)

2. Identify the Community a. Who is affected or at risk?

3. Identify the Cause a. Why do they have the health problem? b. What characteristics of the community or environment are causing or related to health

risk? i. These could be motivation, knowledge, skill of community, or physical, cultural,

psychosocial, and political characteristics.

Use the information from the above three steps to write the nursing diagnosis:

1. Risk of __________ (What?) 2. Among___________ (Who?) 3. Related to __________ (Why?)

Examples Example 1

1. Risk of infant malnutrition 2. Among families in Bernalillo County 3. Related to lack of regular developmental screening, lack of outreach to new families, and

confusion among families on WIC enrollment.

Example 2

1. Risk of diabetes 2. Among children in Ramsey County 3. Related to childhood obesity

Practice Practice 1

Currently, 25% of the population in Duxbury County is older than 65 years. However, in 25 years, this percentage is expected to increase to more than 50%. Currently, five primary care providers are practicing in the county, and service waiting lists range from 1 to 3 weeks; only one of these providers specializes in geriatric care. A single, 54-bed, long-term nursing care facility is located in the northern region of the spacious county. Because of the rural roads, no public transit system is in place. However, residents can call a hospital shuttle if they need to arrange transportation to a doctor's appointment.

1. Risk of __________________________________ 2. Among __________________________________ 3. Related to _______________________________

Practice 2

Sunshine County has had a 42% increase in childhood asthma over the last 5 years. Seven years ago, an oil refinery opened in the community. Jobs were created and the economy is improving.

1. Risk of __________________________________ 2. Among __________________________________ 3. Related to _______________________________

Practice 3

The City of Starkville has had a steady decline in the number of children immunized. In the preceding year, there three outbreaks in the city of measles. The number of cases was up 72% from the previous year.

1. Risk of __________________________________ 2. Among __________________________________ 3. Related to _______________________________

Practice Answers Practice 1

Risk of lack of access to health care among aging baby boomers in Duxbury County related to inadequate numbers of health care providers and lack of public transportation systems.

Practice 2

Risk of asthma among children in Sunshine County related to poor air quality.

Practice 3

Risk of measles among residents of Starkville due to lack of immunizations.