In nursing diagnoses, what does PES stand for?

In nursing diagnoses, what does PES stand for?

• A. Problem, Etiology, Symptoms
• B. Problem, Explanation, Severity
• C. Plan, Evaluate, Symptoms
• D. Problem, Etiology, Signs

Answer: (A)

PES in nursing diagnoses shows how a diagnostic statement is built: Problem, Etiology, and Symptoms. The Problem is the nursing diagnosis label—the patient’s actual issue. The Etiology identifies the related factors or causes that contribute to the problem. The Symptoms (often called signs or defining characteristics) are the cues that support the diagnosis, the data that show the problem is present. This format helps you create a clear, testable statement that guides planning and interventions. For example, a statement might be: Ineffective airway clearance related to mucus obstruction as evidenced by crackles on auscultation, coughing with productive sputum, and decreased oxygen saturation. Here, the problem states what the patient has, the etiology links why it’s happening, and the symptoms show the evidence. Other structures like Plan or Evaluate mix in steps from the care process rather than form the diagnostic statement, and terms like Explanation aren’t part of PES. Sometimes you’ll see Signs included with Symptoms, but the core idea remains Problem, Etiology, Symptoms.

PES in nursing diagnoses shows how a diagnostic statement is built: Problem, Etiology, and Symptoms. The Problem is the nursing diagnosis label—the patient’s actual issue. The Etiology identifies the related factors or causes that contribute to the problem. The Symptoms (often called signs or defining characteristics) are the cues that support the diagnosis, the data that show the problem is present.

This format helps you create a clear, testable statement that guides planning and interventions. For example, a statement might be: Ineffective airway clearance related to mucus obstruction as evidenced by crackles on auscultation, coughing with productive sputum, and decreased oxygen saturation. Here, the problem states what the patient has, the etiology links why it’s happening, and the symptoms show the evidence.

Other structures like Plan or Evaluate mix in steps from the care process rather than form the diagnostic statement, and terms like Explanation aren’t part of PES. Sometimes you’ll see Signs included with Symptoms, but the core idea remains Problem, Etiology, Symptoms.