Domain 11. Safety-protection
Class 2. Physical injury
Diagnostic Code: 00036
Nanda label: Risk for suffocation
Diagnostic focus: Suffocation
Nursing diagnosis risk for suffocation can be a serious diagnosis and requires immediate attention, especially in vulnerable individuals. The critical assessment of a person’s airway and ventilation, along with the evaluation of risk factors, is essential to providing effective care. For this reason, understanding nursing diagnosis risk for suffocation and its associated symptoms, strategies, and interventions is paramount in ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.
NANDA Nursing Diagnosis Definition
NANDA Nursing Diagnosis, or NAND, classifies nursing diagnoses into four related categories: acceptable, unclassified, inappropriate, and occasionally beneficial. “Risk for Suffocation” falls under the “Risk” category of NAND diagnoses. The definition for “Risk for Suffocation” states that an individual is at “increased vulnerability for an impairment of oxygenation caused by external or internal factors that impede the exchange of adequate amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the environment and the individual.”
Risk Factors
There are numerous external and internal risk factors associated with suffocation, which can lead to suffocation in individuals who are more vulnerable and susceptible to the condition. External risk factors can include physical restraints, such as restraints used on beds or chairs; proximity to hazardous materials and equipment, like plastics and machinery; and environments that lack ventilation or are overly hot. Internal risk factors, on the other hand, may include conditions such as chest deformities, head injuries, brain disorders, drug use, and congenital heart conditions.
Associated Conditions
Aside from the Risk Factors mentioned above, there are several other conditions associated with suffocation. These conditions include airway obstruction due to the presence of blood or mucus in the airways, blocked air passage due to anatomical deformities, difficulty initiating a breath due to neuromuscular disorders or chest deformities, and physical restraint issues. More generally, suffocation can result from being exposed to a dangerous overall environment, whether it is due to insufficient or inadequate ventilation, or from other hazardous materials present in the area.
Suggestions of Use
The first step when assessing a patient for potential risks of suffocation is to evaluate the environment in which they are located. This includes looking for any hazardous materials or equipment, evaluating ventilation and air circulation, and checking to make sure that proper safety measures are in place. It is also important to look out for any underlying health conditions that may lead to suffocation risk and to reassess the patient’s ability to breathe adequately and safely. After assessing the patient and the environment, it is essential to implement appropriate strategies and interventions designed to reduce the risk of suffocation.
Suggested Alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnosis
In addition to the general definition for “Risk for Suffocation”, alternative NANDA nursing diagnoses include “Ineffective Airway Clearance”, “Impaired Gas Exchange”, and “Ineffective Breathing Pattern”. “Ineffective Airway Clearance” refers to when an individual is unable to clear the airway of secretions due to a decreased level of oxygen or impaired lung function. This can lead to an increased risk of suffocation and related respiratory problems. “Impaired Gas Exchange” refers to the inability to maintain the correct balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs, while “Ineffective Breathing Pattern” refers to abnormal breathing habits, such as huffing, labored breathing, and decreased breathing rate that can increase an individual’s risk for suffocation.
Usage Tips
It is important to remember that NANDA nursing diagnosis should only be used as a guide for assessing and caring for patients with possible risks for suffocation. A thorough assessment and review of the patient’s medical history should be performed in order to assess the patient’s specific risks before any intervention takes place. Additionally, it is essential to follow all safety guidelines and protocols in order to reduce the risk of suffocation.
NOC Outcomes
NOC stands for Nursing Outcome Classifications. There are six NOC outcomes associated with the nursing diagnosis Risk for Suffocation: Gas Exchange, Patient Safety Status, Respiratory Status, Ventilation Regulation, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and Consciousness Level. Gas Exchange refers to the oxidation and reduction of substances in the body. In the case of suffocation risk, it can refer to an individual’s ability to take in adequate amounts of oxygen. Patient Safety Status refers to the patient’s overall well-being, and can involve assessing signs of distress or abnormalities in breathing. Respiratory Status refers to the individual’s cardiac and pulmonary functions and ventilation regulation refers to the ability to maintain a consistent breathing pattern. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation refers to a procedure used to restore oxygen to the cells and Consciousness Level can refer to how focused or alert the patient is in terms of staying awake and maintaining personal awareness.
Evaluation Objectives and Criteria
In evaluating the success of care for an individual at risk for suffocation, a number of objectives and criteria should be established. These objectives and criteria can include the evaluation of airway patency, lung and heart sounds, the presence of supportive equipment, oxygen saturation, and ventilation patterns. Additionally, it is important to ask the patient about their comfort level and to observe any associated behaviors, such as labored breathing, coughing, or struggling to stay awake. Finally, it is important to document any irregularities in temperature, pulse, and breath sounds.
NIC interventions
NIC stands for Nursing Intervention Classification, and there are five NIC interventions associated with the nursing diagnosis Risk for Suffocation. The NIC interventions for Risk for Suffocation include Ventilation Management, Oxygen Administration, Thermal and Humidity Monitoring, Supplementary Oxygen Administration, and Rapid Identification of Potential Suffocation. Ventilation Management involves assessing a patient’s oxygenation status, maintaining proper ventilation, and managing partial rebreathing circuits. Also, Oxygen Administration refers to administering oxygen and monitoring oxygen levels, while Thermal and Humidity Monitoring involves assessing and monitoring temperature and humidity levels. Supplementary Oxygen Administration entails providing supplemental oxygen and increasing oxygen delivery as needed, and Rapid Identification of Potential Suffocation involves using evidence-based practices and prompt recognition of signs and symptoms of respiratory failure.
Nursing Activities
To ensure the safety of the patient, some nursing activities associated with caring for a patient at risk for suffocation may include monitoring vital signs, assessing airway patency, providing supplemental oxygen, providing ventilatory support, and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). It is also important that the nurse provide careful observation of the patient’s behavior and any respiratory difficulties that they may have in order to quickly identify any potential risks.
Conclusion
Nursing diagnosis risk for suffocation is a serious condition that requires competent assessment and collaborative care in order to ensure the patient’s safety and comfort. Evaluating risk factors and associated conditions, understanding nursing diagnosis definitions, implementing suggested interventions and usage tips, and following NOC and NIC guidelines are all essential components to providing quality care for those at risk of suffocation.
5 FAQs:
- Q1: What is Nursing Diagnosis Risk for Suffocation?
A1: Nursing Diagnosis Risk for Suffocation is a nursing diagnosis that classifies an individual as being at an “increased vulnerability for an impairment of oxygenation caused by external or internal factors that impede the exchange of adequate amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide between the environment and the individual.” - Q2: What are some common risk factors for suffocation?
A2: Common risk factors for suffocation include physical restraints, proximity to hazardous materials and equipment, and poor ventilation or high temperatures in an environment. Internal risk factors can include underlying medical conditions such as chest deformities, head injuries, drug use, and heart conditions. - Q3: Are there alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnoses associated with risk for suffocation?
A3: Yes, alternative NANDA Nursing Diagnoses associated with risk for suffocation include “Ineffective Airway Clearance”, “Impaired Gas Exchange”, and “Ineffective Breathing Pattern”. - Q4: What nursing activities should be taken when caring for a patient at risk for suffocation?
A4: When caring for a patient at risk for suffocation, some nursing activities may include monitoring vital signs, assessing airway patency, providing supplemental oxygen, providing ventilatory support, and performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). - Q5: What criteria should be evaluated when assessing the success of care for an individual at risk for suffocation?
A5: When assessing the success of care for an individual at risk for suffocation, criteria such as airway patency, lung and heart sounds, the presence of supportive equipment, oxygen saturation, and ventilation patterns should be evaluated. Additionally, it is important to ask the patient about their comfort level and to observe any associated behaviors, such as labored breathing, coughing, or struggling to stay awake.