Domain 11. Safety-protection
Class 2. Physical injury
Diagnostic Code: 00035
Nanda label: Risk for injury
Diagnostic focus: Injury
Risk for injury is a nursing diagnosis that includes the predisposition to experience physical or psychological harm. It is important for nurses to assess a patient’s risk of injury, so they can determine the best courses of action to prevent potential hazards and minimize potential harm. With this in mind, it’s beneficial to gain a better understanding of this nursing diagnosis and the treatments associated with it.
NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition
The NANDA International Standard for Nursing Diagnosis defines risk for injury as “the state in which an individual is at the risk of being physically or psychologically hurt as the result of either damaging events or an unstable condition”. The NANDA system further classifies this diagnosis as belonging to the category of ‘Risk for Potential Problems’.
Risk factors
It is important to recognize the various risk factors associated with this diagnosis. Common risk factors include a lack of available resources or environmental safety checks, inadequate safety measures or tools, lack of knowledge and information, poor health and wellness practices, lack of self-care activities and hospitalization. Additionally, certain medical conditions can predispose individuals to the risk of injury; these include chronic illness or disability, mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, frail, elderly individuals and those with cognitive impairments.
Associated conditions
There are several associated conditions linked to the diagnosis of risk for injury. These include psychological distress, emotional distress, musculoskeletal disorders, falls, noncompliance with medical treatments, chronic pain and delayed healing following injury.
Suggested use
Nurses can use this diagnosis when assessing a patient’s overall health and well-being. This allows nurses to identify any potential risks that may be present, so appropriate interventions and preventive strategies can be implemented.
Suggested alternative NANDA nursing diagnosis
There are various alternative NANDA diagnoses that can have a similar effect on patients, but may impact different areas of a patient’s care. These include activity intolerance, risk for immobility, risk for falls, impaired mobility, impaired bed mobility and impaired physical mobility.
Usage tips
When using this diagnosis, it is important to consider the patient’s environment, lifestyle and resources available to them. This can help create a holistic view of their individual situation, allowing nurses to develop targeted and effective treatment plans.
NOC Outcomes
When treating risk for injury, nurses should focus on achieving a number of NOC outcomes. These include, but are not limited to; increased comfort, increased safety, improved tissue perfusion, improved functional ability, improved mobility and improved skills in health management.
Evaluation objectives and criteria
When evaluating the treatment effectiveness, nurses should assess whether there has been an improvement or decrease in injury risk. Nurses should also consider a patient’s comfort level, lifestyle and ability to perform activities safely.
NIC Interventions
When treating risk for injury, there are a variety of NIC interventions that can be implemented including: training on safety techniques, providing safety equipment and devices, performing fall risk assessments, educating patients on nutrition and physical activity, providing emotional support, giving medications designed to improve tissue perfusion, and providing physical therapy.
Nursing activities
Nurses who are treating risk for injury should also strive to: reduce the patient’s risk factors, such as those related to medical conditions and the environment; promote wellness and health through education; and provide psychological and emotional support. Additionally, nurses should communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team and the patient’s family and caregivers.
Conclusion
In summary, risk for injury is a nursing diagnosis that involves the potential for harm due to a wide range of mitigating factors. By understanding the risk factors, associated conditions and interventions associated with this diagnosis, nurses can take the necessary steps to reduce a patient’s risk and develop targeted treatment plans.
FAQs
- Q1: What is risk for injury?
A1: Risk for injury is a nursing diagnosis which identifies the potential for a patient to suffer physical or psychological harm due to a range of contributing factors. - Q2: What are the common risk factors for this diagnosis?
A2: Common risk factors for risk for injury include a lack of available resources or environmental safety checks, inadequate safety measures or tools, lack of knowledge and information, poor health and wellness practices and lack of self-care activities. - Q3: How is risk for injury evaluated?
A3: Evaluations for risk for injury should consider the patient’s overall comfort level, lifestyle, ability to perform activities safely and whether there has been an improvement or decrease in injury risk. - Q4: What types of interventions are typically used to prevent harm?
A4: Interventions used to prevent injury may include training on safety techniques, providing safety equipment and devices, performing fall risk assessments, educating patients on nutrition and physical activity, providing emotional support and giving medications designed to improve tissue perfusion. - Q5: Who should be involved in prevention strategies?
A5: When preventing injuries, both healthcare professionals and the patient’s family and caregivers should collaborate. Nurses should also communicate effectively with other members of the healthcare team.