Certified Nurses Operating Room (CNOR) Practice Exam

Which of the following components is essential for establishing a nursing diagnosis?

1. Patient’s vital signs

2. Understanding the nursing process

3. Systematic and ongoing collection of data

4. Knowledge of pharmacologic interventions

The correct answer is: Systematic and ongoing collection of data

The systematic and ongoing collection of data is a fundamental component for establishing a nursing diagnosis because it provides the necessary information to assess the patient's health status accurately. This process involves gathering comprehensive data through various means, such as patient interviews, physical assessments, and review of medical history. By continually collecting and analyzing this data, nurses can identify patterns or changes in a patient's condition that inform the diagnosis and guide subsequent care strategies. This approach not only allows for the identification of actual or potential health problems but also contributes to understanding the context of the patient's situation, which is critical in developing a tailored nursing plan. The depth and breadth of data collected ensure that nursing diagnoses are grounded in evidence, leading to effective patient care and outcomes. This component is essential in differentiating between the various health issues a patient may face, which in turn supports a comprehensive nursing assessment. Other aspects, such as the nurse's understanding of the nursing process or knowledge of pharmacologic interventions, are important but secondary to the foundational task of data collection that informs all nursing practice. Vital signs may contribute to the data, but they do not encompass the full spectrum needed for a complete nursing diagnosis.