Which of these findings, when evaluating another nurse developing a plan of care, should the charge nurse recognize as a source of diagnostic error?

Question

a. Assigning diagnoses while completing the database
b. Assigning a documented nursing diagnosis of Risk for infection for a patient on intravenous antibiotics
c. Completing the interview before performing the physical examination
d. Documenting cultural and religious preferences

Answer 1

ANS: A
Diagnosis should take place only after the database is completed. The data should be clustered and reviewed to see if any patterns are present before a nursing diagnosis is assigned. Risk for infection is an appropriate diagnosis for a patient with an intravenous (IV) site in place. The IV site involves a break in skin integrity and is a potential source of infection. The diagnostic process should proceed in steps. Completing the interview before the physical examination is appropriate. The patient's cultural background and developmental stage are important to include in a patient database.