Introduction for Nursing Diagnosis
nursing diagnosis is widely used as a part of individualized care and treatment plans designed to promote health, prevent disease and restore optimal functioning among patients. The Defending Coping nursing diagnosis is one of the diagnoses that can help nurses and other healthcare professionals to develop successful personalized plans for their patients.
Nursing Diagnosis Definition
The NANDA International defines the Defending Coping nursing diagnosis as “a reaction to threat in which an individual consumes internal or external energy in unsuccessful attempts to reduce tension, anxiety, or discomfort.”
Defining Characteristics
Subjectives:
- Expresses feelings of stress, fear or anguish
- Reports feeling powerless or helpless
- Evidences mood swings or outbursts
- Describes feelings of hopelessness, depression or withdrawal
Objectives:
- Refuses to participate in activities
- Fixes focus on problem area
- Interacts poorly with others
- Appears anxious, withdrawn or distressed
Patients may exhibit defensive coping behaviors due to overwhelming conditions such as low self-esteem, traumatic experiences, family conflict, lack of individual management skills and pessimistic outlook.
Risk Population
People at risk of exhibiting defensive coping behaviors include those that experience a significant illness or injury, suffer from adverse life events, experience overwhelming daily stress and are at a disadvantage socioeconomically.
Associated Problems
Patients who display defensive coping behaviors typically experience additional physical, mental and emotional issues such as high blood pressure, hallucinations, anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Suggestions of Use
Using the Defensive Coping diagnosis, healthcare professionals can gain insight into a patient's underlying issues, while also providing opportunities to witness and acknowledge defensive behaviors as a means of understanding and evaluating them better.
Suggested Alternative Nursing Diagnosis
Other NANDA diagnoses to consider include Spiritual Distress, Risk for Injury, Powerlessness, Social Isolation, Stress Overload and Chronic Low Self-Esteem.
Usage Tips
Prior to using the Defensive Coping nursing diagnosis, healthcare providers should examine the patient's health history and current environment in order to determine the contributing factors that may be associated with the exhibiting defensive behaviors.
NOC Results
The Nurse Outcome Classification (NOC) provides explanations for expected outcomes for patients exhibiting defensive coping behaviors as well as specific evaluations, goals and interventions that can be used to alleviate symptoms and achieve positive results.
NIC Interventions
The Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) outlines specific interventions useful in managing defensive coping behaviors such as counseling and therapy, individualized psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral interventions and pharmacological agents.
Conclusion
NANDA nursing diagnoses, such as Defensive Coping, provide a valuable tool to evaluate patient behaviors and to create targeted interventions and treatments. By understanding the associated risks, defining characteristics, related factors and suggested interventions, healthcare professionals can develop more successful plans to aide their patients.
FAQs
- What is defensive coping? Defensive coping is a reaction to threats or stress in which a person utilizes external or internal energy in attempts to reduce tension, anxiety and discomfort.
- What is the NANDA for Defensive Coping? The NANDA International defines the Defending Coping nursing diagnosis as “a reaction to threat in which an individual consumes internal or external energy in unsuccessful attempts to reduce tension, anxiety, or discomfort.”
- What is the NOC outcome for Defensive Coping? The Nurse Outcome Classification (NOC) provides explanations for expected outcomes for patients exhibiting defensive coping behaviors as well as specific evaluations, goals and interventions that can be used to alleviate symptoms and achieve positive results.
- What interventions can be used to manage Defensive Coping? The Nursing Intervention Classification (NIC) outlines specific interventions useful in managing defensive coping behaviors such as counseling and therapy, individualized psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral interventions and pharmacological agents.
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