Which term refers to a cluster of nursing diagnoses that occur together due to a shared etiology?

• A. Wellness Diagnosis
• B. Actual Nursing Diagnosis
• C. Syndrome Diagnosis
• D. Risk Diagnostic Label

Answer: (C)

A syndrome diagnosis is used when several nursing diagnoses appear together because they share the same underlying cause. It reflects a pattern where multiple problems arise from a single etiology, so the care plan is coordinated to address that common source and the cluster of related manifestations rather than treating each symptom in isolation.

The other types don’t describe a set of problems tied to one cause: a wellness diagnosis denotes readiness for enhanced health, an actual nursing diagnosis is a current singular problem, and a risk diagnostic label points to a potential problem based on risk factors but not present symptoms.