Use of nursing diagnoses and interventions in public health nursing practice.

Abstract

To determine the frequency of use of NANDA diagnoses and the Nursing Interventions Classification in care plans written by public health nurses (PHNs) in Orange County, CA. Retrospective chart review. The frequency pattern of nursing diagnoses and nursing interventions used in care plans is consistent with the scope of practice of the PHN, whose emphasis is on health promotion and disease prevention. The most commonly used diagnoses and interventions provide evidence of a core set of interventions useful for PHN practice. Linking diagnoses and interventions allow PHNs to build a body of knowledge based on patient care and improve clinical decision-making process.