Health promotion nursing diagnosis focuses on enhancing the well-being and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities. This nursing diagnosis is crucial in preventive care and is closely associated with other nursing diagnoses like ineffective health maintenance or readiness for enhanced health management.
Causes (Related to)
Health promotion can be influenced by various factors that affect an individual’s ability or willingness to engage in health-promoting behaviors. Common related factors include:
- Lack of knowledge about health-promoting behaviors or resources
- Limited access to healthcare services or health information
- Cultural or religious beliefs that may conflict with certain health practices
- Socioeconomic factors such as low income or education level
- Environmental factors like pollution or lack of safe spaces for physical activity
- Personal factors including motivation, self-efficacy, or health beliefs
- Social support or lack thereof from family and community
Signs and Symptoms (As evidenced by)
Health promotion nursing diagnosis is unique because it often focuses on strengths and readiness for improvement rather than deficits. Evidence for this diagnosis may include:
Subjective: (Patient reports)
- Expressed interest in improving health behaviors
- Desire to learn about health-promoting activities
- Motivation to make lifestyle changes
- Awareness of current health status and risks
Objective: (Nurse assesses)
- Participation in health screenings or check-ups
- Engagement in physical activity or exercise
- Adherence to a balanced diet
- Appropriate stress management techniques
- Avoidance of harmful substances (tobacco, excessive alcohol, etc.)
- Maintenance of social connections and support systems
- Regular sleep patterns
- Appropriate use of preventive health services
Expected Outcomes
The following are common nursing care planning goals and expected outcomes for health promotion:
- The patient will demonstrate increased knowledge of health-promoting behaviors.
- The patient will engage in regular physical activity appropriate to their abilities.
- The patient will maintain a balanced diet consistent with nutritional guidelines.
- The patient will demonstrate effective stress management techniques.
- The patient will participate in recommended health screenings and preventive care.
Nursing Assessment
The nursing assessment for health promotion involves gathering comprehensive data about the patient’s current health status, behaviors, and readiness for change. Here are key areas to assess:
1. Evaluate current health practices.
Assess the patient’s diet, exercise habits, sleep patterns, and stress management techniques. This will provide a baseline for improvement and help identify areas of focus.
2. Assess knowledge of health-promoting behaviors.
Determine the patient’s understanding of a healthy lifestyle and their awareness of specific health risks relevant to their age, gender, and family history.
3. Identify barriers to health promotion.
Explore factors that may hinder the patient’s ability to engage in health-promoting activities, such as time constraints, financial limitations, or lack of resources.
4. Assess readiness for change.
Use motivational interviewing techniques to gauge the patient’s willingness to adopt new health behaviors and their confidence in their ability.
5. Review health screening history.
Ensure the patient is up-to-date with recommended health screenings and vaccinations appropriate for their age and risk factors.
6. Evaluate the social support system.
Assess the patient’s social connections and support network, as these can significantly influence health behaviors and outcomes.
7. Assess mental health status.
Mental health plays a crucial role in overall well-being. Screen for signs of depression, anxiety, or other mental health concerns that may impact health promotion efforts.
8. Review medication and supplement use.
Assess current medication regimens and any supplements the patient takes, ensuring they are appropriate and not contraindicated.
9. Evaluate environmental factors.
Consider the patient’s living and working environments, assessing for potential health hazards or opportunities for health promotion.
10. Assess cultural and spiritual beliefs.
Understand the patient’s cultural background and spiritual beliefs, which can significantly influence health practices and attitudes.
Nursing Interventions
Nursing interventions for health promotion focus on educating, motivating, and supporting patients in adopting healthier lifestyles. Here are some interventions:
1. Provide tailored health education.
Offer information on healthy lifestyle choices, disease prevention, and health risks specific to the patient’s age, gender, and health status. Use various teaching methods to accommodate different learning styles.
2. Develop a personalized health plan.
Work with the patient to create a realistic and achievable health promotion plan that aligns with their goals and lifestyle.
3. Encourage regular physical activity.
Promote the benefits of regular exercise and help the patient identify enjoyable physical activities. Guide safe exercise practices appropriate to their fitness level.
4. Promote healthy nutrition.
Educate the patient on balanced nutrition and help them develop healthy eating habits. Offer practical tips for meal planning and preparation.
5. Teach stress management techniques.
Introduce stress reduction methods such as mindfulness, deep breathing exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation.
6. Facilitate access to preventive services.
Help the patient schedule and prepare for recommended health screenings, vaccinations, and check-ups.
7. Promote smoking cessation.
For patients who smoke, provide education on the health risks of smoking and offer resources for quitting, including nicotine replacement therapy or referral to smoking cessation programs.
Nursing Care Plans
Nursing care plans for health promotion help prioritize interventions and set achievable goals. Here are five example care plans:
Nursing Care Plan 1: Readiness for Enhanced Health Management
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Health Management related to the expressed desire to improve overall health, as evidenced by the patient’s request for information on healthy lifestyle practices.
Related factors/causes:
Recent health scare in family members, increased awareness of personal health risks.
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Conduct a comprehensive health assessment.
Rationale: Provides a baseline for developing a personalized health plan. - Provide education on balanced nutrition and physical activity guidelines.
Rationale: Increases knowledge base for making informed health decisions. - Assist in setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) health goals.
Rationale: Enhances motivation and provides clear direction for health improvement efforts. - Teach stress management techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation.
Rationale: Equips the patient with tools to manage stress, which can impact overall health.
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will verbalize understanding of healthy lifestyle practices within one week.
- The patient will create a personal health improvement plan within two weeks.
- The patient will demonstrate at least one stress management technique effectively by the end of the month.
Nursing Care Plan 2: Readiness for Enhanced Nutrition
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Nutrition related to expressed interest in improving dietary habits as evidenced by patient’s questions about healthy eating.
Related factors/causes:
Recent weight gain, family history of diabetes.
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Assess current dietary habits using a food diary.
Rationale: Provides insight into current nutritional status and areas for improvement. - Educate on the principles of a balanced diet using the plate method.
Rationale: Offers a visual and practical guide for balanced meal planning. - Teach label reading skills for making informed food choices.
Rationale: Empower patients to make healthier food selections when shopping. - Collaborate with a dietitian for personalized nutrition advice if needed.
Rationale: Provides expert guidance for specific dietary needs or health conditions.
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will identify three areas for improvement in the current diet within one week.
- The patient will demonstrate the ability to plan a balanced meal using the plate method within two weeks.
- The patient will show improved food choices as evidenced by food diary entries within one month.
Nursing Care Plan 3:
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Physical Activity related to expressed desire to become more active as evidenced by patient’s inquiry about safe exercise practices.
Related factors/causes:
Sedentary job, desire to improve cardiovascular health.
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Assess current physical activity level and any limitations.
Rationale: Establishes a baseline and identifies potential barriers or safety concerns. - Educate on the benefits of regular physical activity and current guidelines.
Rationale: Increases motivation and provides a target for activity levels. - Assist in developing a graduated exercise plan starting with low-intensity activities.
Rationale: Promotes safe initiation of exercise and reduces risk of injury or burnout. - Teach proper warm-up and cool-down techniques.
Rationale: Enhances safety and effectiveness of exercise sessions.
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will verbalize understanding of physical activity benefits within one week.
- The patient will engage in planned physical activity for at least 15 minutes three times a week within two weeks.
- The patient will report increased energy levels and improved mood within one month of starting regular physical activity.
Nursing Care Plan 4: Readiness for Enhanced Sleep
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Sleep related to expressed interest in improving sleep quality as evidenced by the patient’s complaints of frequent nighttime awakenings.
Related factors/causes:
Irregular work schedule, excessive caffeine intake.
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Assess current sleep patterns and habits using a sleep diary.
Rationale: Identifies specific sleep issues and potential contributing factors. - Educate on sleep hygiene principles.
Rationale: Provides strategies for improving sleep quality. - Teach relaxation techniques to use before bedtime.
Rationale: Helps reduce anxiety and promote sleep onset. - Discuss the impact of caffeine and recommend gradually reducing intake, especially in the afternoon and evening.
Rationale: Caffeine can interfere with sleep quality and quantity.
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will identify three sleep hygiene principles to implement within one week.
- The patient will report a reduction in nighttime awakenings within two weeks.
- The patient will report feeling more rested upon waking within one month.
Nursing Care Plan 5: Readiness for Enhanced Health Literacy
Nursing Diagnosis Statement:
Readiness for Enhanced Health Literacy related to expressed desire to better understand health information as evidenced by patient’s questions about medical terminology.
Related factors/causes:
Recent diagnosis of a chronic condition, difficulty understanding medication instructions.
Nursing Interventions and Rationales:
- Assess current health literacy level using a validated tool.
Rationale: Identifies specific areas where health literacy can be improved. - Provide health information using plain language and visual aids.
Rationale: Enhances understanding and retention of important health information. - Teach strategies for effectively communicating with healthcare providers.
Rationale: Helps the patient participate actively in their healthcare. - Introduce reliable online health resources and teach evaluation of health information.
Rationale: Equips the patient with tools to seek accurate health information independently.
Desired Outcomes:
- The patient will demonstrate an improved understanding of their health condition within two weeks.
- The patient will accurately explain the purpose and instructions for their medications within one week.
- The patient will be able to find and evaluate online health information within one month.
References
- Pender, N. J., Murdaugh, C. L., & Parsons, M. A. (2015). Health Promotion in Nursing Practice (7th ed.). Pearson.
- World Health Organization. (2020). Health promotion. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/health-topics/health-promotion
- Nutbeam, D., & Lloyd, J. E. (2021). Understanding and Responding to Health Literacy as a Social Determinant of Health. Annual Review of Public Health, 42, 159-173.
- Herdman, T. H., & Kamitsuru, S. (Eds.). (2018). NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification 2018-2020. Thieme.
- Butterfield, P. G. (2017). Thinking Upstream: A 25-Year Retrospective and Conceptual Model Aimed at Reducing Health Inequities. Advances in Nursing Science, 40(1), 2-11.
- Keleher, H., & MacDougall, C. (2016). Understanding health: A determinants approach (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
