How to Write a Nursing Diagnosis for Malnutrition?

November 17, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition is a significant public health issue globally, affecting all age groups and leading to increased morbidity and mortality. For nurses, accurately identifying and formulating a nursing diagnosis for malnutrition is a critical step in the patient care process.

Quick Summary

This guide provides a detailed breakdown of how to formulate a nursing diagnosis for malnutrition using the PES format. It covers the necessary assessment data, common NANDA-I diagnoses, and effective nursing interventions to address imbalanced nutrition.

Key Points

Use the PES Format: Formulate your nursing diagnosis using the Problem, Etiology, Signs/Symptoms (PES) format to create a clear and evidence-based statement.
Conduct a Thorough Assessment: Collect comprehensive subjective (patient history) and objective (physical exam, labs) data to support your diagnosis.
Identify the Root Cause: Pinpoint the specific etiology, or root cause, of the malnutrition (e.g., poor appetite, dysphagia, financial issues).
Look for Defining Characteristics: Use physical signs, lab values, and patient reports as evidenced-based proof for your diagnosis.
Implement Targeted Interventions: Plan and execute specific nursing actions that address the identified etiology and signs, such as optimizing the eating environment or using supplements.
Collaborate with Dietitians: Work closely with a registered dietitian to develop effective and personalized nutritional strategies.
Monitor and Evaluate: Continuously monitor the patient's progress based on the identified signs and symptoms to determine the effectiveness of interventions.

Understanding the Nursing Process and Malnutrition

The nursing process provides a systematic framework for delivering quality patient care, including Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation (ADPIE). In the context of malnutrition, the diagnostic phase involves formulating a precise problem statement. The relevant North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA-I) label is Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements, which describes insufficient nutrient intake.

The PES Format: Problem, Etiology, and Signs/Symptoms

Nurses use the Problem, Etiology, and Signs/Symptoms (PES) format to construct a nursing diagnosis. This structure includes the NANDA-I problem label, the contributing factors (etiology), and the observable evidence (signs/symptoms). A sample PES statement might link insufficient nutrition to a decreased appetite due to chronic illness, evidenced by weight loss and low lab values.

Performing a Comprehensive Nursing Assessment

A thorough assessment is essential before writing a nursing diagnosis for malnutrition. This includes collecting subjective and objective data.

Subjective Data Collection

Gather information on dietary history, appetite changes, swallowing difficulties, and potential socioeconomic factors.

Objective Data Collection

Objective data includes anthropometric measurements like BMI (under 18.5 suggests undernutrition) and monitoring for significant unintentional weight loss. Physical examination reveals signs such as muscle wasting and poor skin turgor.

Examples of PES statements for malnutrition and a comparison of diagnoses can be found on {Link: Nurseslabs.com https://nurseslabs.com/imbalanced-nutrition-less-body-requirements/}

Nursing Interventions and Implementation

Nursing interventions aim to address the identified etiology and signs of malnutrition.

Common Nursing Interventions:

Optimize the eating environment.
Offer smaller, more frequent nutrient-dense meals and snacks.
Promote social eating.
Address physical challenges like dysphagia with appropriate referrals and assistance.
Consider nutritional supplementation in collaboration with a dietitian.
Provide nutritional education.
Consider advanced nutrition support (enteral or parenteral) in severe cases.

Conclusion: The Path to Improved Patient Outcomes

Writing an accurate nursing diagnosis for malnutrition using the PES format and a systematic assessment is vital for effective patient care. A precise diagnosis guides targeted interventions and collaboration with other healthcare professionals, such as dietitians, ultimately leading to improved nutritional status and overall patient health. For further information on NANDA-I classifications, nurses can consult authoritative resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary NANDA-I diagnosis for undernutrition is Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements.

Start the PES statement with the NANDA-I problem label, such as Imbalanced Nutrition: Less Than Body Requirements.

The 'E' stands for Etiology, which is the root cause of the nutritional problem, such as poor appetite, dysphagia, or socioeconomic factors.

Signs and symptoms include unintentional weight loss, low BMI, muscle wasting, low serum albumin, fatigue, dry skin, and hair loss.

Yes, malnutrition can refer to both undernutrition (deficient intake) and overnutrition (excessive intake), as it represents any imbalance in nutrient intake.

A key nursing intervention is to offer smaller, more frequent nutrient-dense meals and snacks throughout the day to prevent the patient from feeling overwhelmed.

Nurses should consult a dietitian when a patient is at risk for or diagnosed with malnutrition to create a specialized and effective nutritional plan.