In nursing documentation, what does 'r/t' denote?

• A. Causal relationship
• B. Etiology
• C. Related factors
• D. Nursing diagnosis

Answer: (A)

r/t denotes the relationship between a nursing problem and its related factors or etiology. In nursing documentation, especially in the PES format (Problem r/t Etiology), this abbreviation shows which factors are related to the problem and may be contributing to it. It isn’t stating a proven, sole cause, but rather the factors that are associated with or related to the problem to guide assessment and intervention. The best match among the options is “related factors,” since that captures the link the note is making between the problem and what contributes to it. A causal relationship implies proven causation, which is stronger than what r/t conveys; etiology is the cause itself, which is broader; and nursing diagnosis refers to the entire statement rather than the linking phrase.