Impaired urinary elimination can occur as a result of a physical abnormality, a sensory impairment, or as a secondary cause of a disorder or disease. Symptoms can vary widely from bladder distention to painful urination to a complete lack of bladder control. Treatment depends on the cause and can range from noninvasive interventions such as … Read more
Urinary retention is a condition that develops when an individual cannot fully empty his or her bladder of urine. It can be either an acute change or caused by a chronic condition. Causes (Related to) Urinary retention can be the result of several factors including: Signs and Symptoms (As evidenced by) The signs and symptoms … Read more
Hyperthermia is a body temperature above 104°F (40°C). Hyperthermia occurs when the body’s thermoregulatory system fails, after being exposed to too much heat or when the body generates more heat than it can release. Heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke from long periods in high temperatures are preventable. Other causes such as … Read more
A person suffers from disturbed body image when one has a distorted perception about the mental image of their own physical self. Some signs that a patient may be experiencing this is when s/he refuses to look at or touch their body, verbally expresses negative feelings about their body, experiences a change in social involvement, … Read more
Diarrhea is an increase in the frequency of bowel movements often characterized by loose stools and urgency. Diarrhea can be acute (lasting only a few days) or chronic (lasting for weeks). Mild cases will resolve on their own while more severe cases may be a sign of a more serious illness such as ulcerative colitis, … Read more
Hospitalized patients are at an increased risk of electrolyte imbalance, meaning they are more susceptible to changes in their electrolyte levels that could potentially compromise their health. Electrolytes are a vital part of normal body function. The electrolytes help maintain electrical neutrality in cells. Likewise, they help to generate and conduct action potentials in the … Read more
Fluid volume deficit also known as dehydration can be a common occurrence and nursing diagnosis for many patients. Dehydration is when there is a loss of too much fluid from the body. This leads to a lack of water in the body’s cells and blood vessels. It is due to more fluids being expelled from … Read more
Impaired comfort is a multidimensional diagnosis used to describe the physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual challenges a patient encounters. Comfort levels vary between patients and age groups and are dynamic. It is recommended the nurse assess for a specific cause of impaired comfort as much as possible in order to best intervene. Pain and … Read more
Social isolation and loneliness may not at first seem like a significant problem. However, it has the potential to be debilitating to patients and has major impacts on their quality of life. While all patients may be at risk for isolation, older adults have the highest risk due to the loss of spouses and friends, … Read more
Ineffective coping is the inability to manage, respond to, or make decisions surrounding a stressful situation. Stressors and everyday demands such as work schedules, school deadlines, and family needs can compound on top of more serious stressors, such as divorce or the loss of a loved one. Patients dealing with chronic, life-altering, or even terminal … Read more