What is a risk nursing diagnosis?

• A. A current problem described in the patient chart.
• B. A potential problem categorized as a risk.
• C. A diagnosis based on lab abnormalities.
• D. A diagnosis that is always resolved quickly.

Answer: (B)

A risk nursing diagnosis is a statement that identifies a patient’s vulnerability to develop a problem because of current or potential risk factors. It points to what could happen, not what is already happening, and it guides preventive actions to keep the patient safe. For example, a patient with an invasive device is at risk for infection, so the diagnosis would be risk for infection—focused on prevention rather than treatment of an existing infection.

The other ideas describe problems that are already present or misunderstand the nature of risk. An actual problem is what’s currently happening and would be documented as a current nursing diagnosis, not a risk. A diagnosis based on lab abnormalities suggests an existing condition rather than a potential one. And a diagnosis that’s always resolved quickly doesn’t reflect what a risk diagnosis represents, which is a potential issue that may persist without preventive care.