Nurses use diagnostic criteria in various ways, including: 1. Assessment: During patient assessments, nurses gather data through interviews, physical examinations, and diagnostic tests. They compare this data against established criteria to identify potential health issues. 2. Critical Thinking: Nurses apply critical thinking skills to interpret the data and determine if it meets the diagnostic criteria for a specific condition. 3. Care Planning: Once a diagnosis is made, nurses develop individualized care plans based on the patient's unique needs and the established criteria for treatment. 4. Evaluation: Nurses continually evaluate the effectiveness of the care plan, making adjustments as needed to ensure optimal patient outcomes.
