Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Practice Exam

What nursing diagnosis is appropriate for a patient with a debilitating stroke who struggles with dressing themselves?

1. Self-care deficit: bathing and grooming

2. Self-care deficit: dressing and grooming

3. Self-care deficit: dressing and grooming related to stroke as evidenced by depression

4. Self-care deficit: dressing and grooming related to stroke as evidenced by impaired ability to put on or take off clothing

The correct answer is: Self-care deficit: dressing and grooming related to stroke as evidenced by impaired ability to put on or take off clothing

The selected nursing diagnosis is specifically focused on the patient's observable limitations directly linked to their condition. The diagnosis identifies the self-care deficit in dressing and grooming, relating it to the patient's stroke, which is crucial because it establishes a clear connection between the impairment and the patient's ability to perform these activities. By including the evidence of an impaired ability to put on or take off clothing, it highlights the specific challenges faced by the patient, ensuring that the nursing care plan can be tailored to address these particular needs. This level of detail is essential for effective nursing care because it allows for targeted interventions that can help improve the patient's functional abilities and increase their independence. Recognizing and describing specific limitations, such as the impairment of dressing skills, paves the way for developing strategies to assist the patient, whether through adaptive equipment, teaching techniques to improve dexterity, or scheduling therapy sessions aimed at regaining skills. In contrast, other diagnoses may not fully encompass the specific nature of the challenges the patient is facing. While "self-care deficit: dressing and grooming" also identifies the areas affected, it lacks the context of the underlying cause and specific manifestations of the deficit. Including the relational aspect of the stroke and the specific evidence of impaired ability strengthens the diagnosis, making it a more