What must nursing diagnoses do?

Nursing diagnoses must support the assessment data because they are formulated based on the collected information from patient assessments. This means that a nursing diagnosis should clearly reflect the findings, observations, and symptoms that have been documented during the assessment process. By aligning with the assessment data, nursing diagnoses ensure that care plans are grounded in the realities of the patient’s condition and effectively guide the nursing interventions that will be implemented. This alignment enhances the quality of care and ensures that the patient's needs are accurately addressed.

The other choices do not fulfill the essential requirements of a nursing diagnosis. For instance, being vague contradicts the need for specificity in identifying patient problems. Exclusive focus on symptoms ignores the broader context of the patient's health, which includes potential causes and psychosocial factors. Looking only at physical needs disregards the holistic approach of nursing that encompasses emotional, social, and spiritual needs as well.