Domain 12. Comfort
Class 1. Physical comfort
Diagnostic Code: 00214
Nanda label: Impaired comfort
Diagnostic focus: Comfort
Nursing Diagnosis Impaired Comfort
The nursing diagnosis of Impaired Comfort is a concern for healthcare professionals when caring for patients who experience discomfort and pain from acute or chronic illness. This condition may arise from any physical, mental, or emotional discomfort which creates feelings of distress, helplessness, and dissatisfaction.
NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition
According to the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) system of nursing, nursing diagnosis of Impaired Comfort is defined as “the state in which a person experiences uncomfortable physical and/or psychological sensations that interfere with his/her daily life”. This type of nursing diagnosis can be used to assess and monitor a patient's comfort level in order to determine if interventions are helping to improve their quality of life.
Defining Characteristics
- Subjective: Experienced by the person as expressions of discomfort such as pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, anxiety and stress, restlessness, anger, depression.
- Objective: Demonstrated in behaviors such as increased body movements, difficulty in concentrating, increase in requirement for medications, and higher levels of pain.
- Medical Conditions: Physical diseases, illnesses, and conditions which produce pain and discomfort.
- Psychosocial Factors: Stressful life events, psychological traumas, and negative environmental factors which can contribute to discomfort.
Associated Conditions
- Social Isolation: Feelings of loneliness and alienation due to decreased interactions with friends and family.
- Poor Quality of Life: Diminished ability to participate in activities of daily living and recreational activities due to discomfort.
Suggestions of Use
Nursing diagnosis of Impaired Comfort can be used to objectively assess and monitor a patient's comfort levels in order to evaluate current treatments and measure the effectiveness of interventions. It can also be used to gain insight into how physical and psychological discomfort affects a patient's overall functioning and quality of life.
Suggested Alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnosis
- Pain: A state of discomfort associated with actual or potential tissue damage.
- Malaise: Feeling of bodily discomfort and discomfort due to illness.
- Disturbed Sleep Pattern: Unusual or disturbed patterns of sleep due to pain or discomfort.
Usage Tips
In order to accurately assess a patient's comfort levels, it is important to regularly evaluate agitation and anxiety, as well as physical signs of discomfort. When assessing a patient, one should also take into account emotional, psychological, social and cultural factors which may play a role in determining levels of comfort.
NOC Outcomes
- Pain Control: Manages pain at an acceptable level.
- Comfort Level: Maintains comfort in physical and emotional state.
- Sleep Patterns: Manages and improves sleep patterns.
Evaluation Objectives and Criteria
When evaluating a patient's comfort levels, it is important to consider objective and subjective characteristics in order to accurately assess their condition. Objective criteria include measures such as vital signs, body language and behavior, while subjective criteria include patient reported feelings of discomfort and pain.
NIC Interventions
- Monitor Comfort: Monitor patient's physical and psychosocial comfort levels.
- Provide Comfort Measures: Implement pain management techniques, medications, and other comfort measures such as relaxation techniques.
- Encourage Self-Care: Assist patient in improving self-care activities such as stretching, breathing and relaxation techniques.
Nursing Activities
- Provide patient comfort measures such as positioning, ventilation, warmth and massage.
- Assist patient in developing personal comfort care plan.
- Administer non-pharmacologic comfort measures as appropriate.
- Review patients’ current medications and adjust as needed.
- Refer patient to appropriate health care providers for further evaluation and care.
- Assess and reassess patient’s comfort level, response to interventions and progress towards goals.
- Teach patient coping strategies to manage symptoms and distress associated with discomfort.
Conclusion
Nursing diagnosis of Impaired Comfort is an important part of nursing assessment and care planning as it can help identify and intervene for pain and discomfort related to medical, psychological and social issues. By regularly assessing a patient's comfort levels, healthcare providers can better treat their physical, psychological and social conditions to improve overall quality of life.
5 FAQs
- What is the nursing diagnosis of impaired comfort? Impaired Comfort is a nursing diagnosis defined as a state in which a person experiences uncomfortable physical and/or psychological sensations that interfere with his/her daily life.
- What are the related factors to nursing diagnosis of impaired comfort? The related factors associated with Impaired Comfort include medical conditions, psychosocial factors, and social isolation.
- How can nursing diagnosis of impaired comfort be used? The nursing diagnosis of impaired comfort can be used to assess and monitor a patient's comfort level in order to accurately evaluate current treatments and measure the effectiveness of interventions.
- What are some nursing activities for impaired comfort? Some common nursing activities for impaired comfort include providing comfort measures, encouraging self-care, administering non- pharmacologic comfort measures, reviewing medications and adjusting as needed, referring patients to appropriate healthcare providers, assessing and reassessing comfort levels, and teaching patients coping strategies.
- What are the suggested alternative NANDA nursing diagnoses? The suggested alternative NANDA nursing diagnoses to impaired comfort include Pain, Malaise, and Disturbed Sleep Pattern.
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