Yulius Tiranda1*, Marwan Riki Ginanjar2
1Department of Adult Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Palembang, South Sumatera 30252, Indonesia
2Department of Paediatric Nursing, Universitas Muhammadiyah Ahmad Dahlan Palembang, South Sumatera 30252, Indonesia
*Corresponding Author’s Email: yuliustiranda@ikestmp.ac.id
ABSTRACT
Background: Nursing assessment is a crucial initial step, and several formats are commonly used. Currently, the Indonesian National Nurses Association has directed all educational institutions to use SDKI, SLKI, and SIKI for nursing process. Objectives: This research aimed to compare nursing assessment using SDKI, Gordon, and NANDA-I (North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International) categorisation in determining nursing problems by nursing students. Methods: A Quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group post-test-only design was used. A total of 88 nursing students divided into three groups using simple random sampling. The instruments used were the ability to analyse nursing problems with content validity index analysis by five experts, and nursing problem analysis with Fleiss' Kappa. Results: The results showed the ability to analyse problems had a mean value of 3.15, while SDKI, Gordon, and NANDA-I had values of 3.13, 3.13, and 3.17 respectively. The mean rank value obtained was 47.53, 44.82, 41.14 (p-value: 0.632). Furthermore, the post-hoc test using pairwise comparison Kruskal Wallis test showed that the mean difference was as follows SDKI - Gordon group was 62.64 (SD: 8.96, p-value: 0.710), SDKI – NANDA-I was 62.95 (SD: 11.31, p-value: 0.322), and Gordon – NANDA-I was 62.97 (SD: 12.53, p-value: 0.606). Conclusion: Nursing assessment using the SDKI, NANDA-I, and Gordon 11 Functional Health Patterns did not have a significant difference. However, the observation results showed that SDKI had accuracy, precision, and ease in determining nursing problems. Recommendation: This nursing assessment might use for education and hospitals in using assessments based on the SDKI format to provide work efficiency in enforcing nursing problems.
INTRODUCTION
According to Indonesian Law Number 38 of 2014, a nurse is someone who has graduated from Higher Education in Nursing, either domestically or abroad, which is recognised by the provisions of the Laws and Regulations of the Government. Nursing is an integral part of health services provided in the form of interactions between Nurses and Clients to achieve the goal of fulfilling the needs and independence in care. The duties of nurses in carrying out care include conducting holistic assessments and diagnoses.
Based on the above law, nurses can determine diagnoses by the Indonesian Nursing Diagnosis Standards (SDKI). Diagnosis enforcement is an important aspect for students; hence, the Association of Indonesian Nurse Education Center (AINEC) includes the nursing process as one of the courses in the Indonesian Nursing Education Curriculum. Nursing assessment is the first step in five stages of nursing process including systematic and continuous data collection, sorting, analysis, organisation, documentation, and communication (Allen et al., 2018; Palmer, 2018).
Nursing diagnosis in Indonesia started using SDKI officially in 2016. The classification in the SDKI book adopts the International Council of Nurses (ICN) method which include 149 nursing diagnoses whereas divided into five categories and 14 subcategories. The determination is based on the nursing problems that arise and are classified into Actual, Risk, Potential, and Syndrome diagnoses (Tim Pokja SDKI DPP PPNI, 2017).
Based on the 2021, Indonesian Nursing Education Curriculum (Asosiasi Institusi Pendidikan Ners Indonesia, 2021), the duties and authorities of nurses in carrying out care have specifically been arranged in the Nursing Process and Critical Thinking Course. The Nursing Process starts with assessment, establishing a diagnosis, preparing a plan, implementation, and evaluation. The process of establishing a Nursing diagnosis begins with data collection, analysis, problem formulation, and decision-making based on materials and knowledge learned (Rodziewicz et al., 2024). The nursing process serves as a framework that assists nurses in making informed clinical decisions and engaging in critical thinking and predicted patient outcomes (Togni et al., 2025).
Nursing assessment can be defined as a planned, systematic, continuous, and deliberate process of collecting, classifying, and categorising individual information to recognise responses to health problems experienced by clients (Reis et al., 2022). Comprehensive patient assessment constitutes a fundamental component of effective nursing care, and interventions aimed at bolstering patient safety are intrinsically linked to improved clinical outcomes. The assessment generates detailed and systematic data that supports nurses in making timely and evidence- based clinical decisions (Kelsey & Claus, 2016). Effective clinical decision-making involves the systematic identification and analysis of patient problems, critical evaluation of potential interventions, and the selection of the most appropriate solution an approach structured and implemented through the nursing process in clinical practice (Lotfi et al., 2021).
Several nursing assessment models in Indonesia include the Nursing Assessment Using NANDA-I Taxonomy (Butcher & Jones, 2021) and Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns, which cover areas like Perception-Health Maintenance, Nutrition-Metabolism, and Sleep-Rest (Butcher et al., 2024). NANDA-I, the most widely used international nursing diagnostic classification, compiles standards to improve the nursing process (Müller-Staub et al., 2007). Gordon's functional health patterns, developed by Marjory Gordon, aid in the nursing assessment process (Edelman & Kudzma, 2021; Gordon, 2016). Comparative analysis of these tools is essential for evaluating students' analytical skills and critical thinking in establishing nursing diagnoses. Despite their similarities, improper placement of nursing diagnoses can undermine assessment quality, affecting diagnosis accuracy and overall nursing process effectiveness.
Research in Indonesia to support diagnosis enforcement based on the SDKI has not been widely carried out. Therefore, this research aimed to compare nursing assessment using SDKI, Gordon, and NANDA-I categorisation in determining nursing problems. The hypothesis of this study was that there would be a significant difference between nursing assessment using the SDKI, NANDA-I, and Gordon 11 Functional Health Patterns in determining nursing problems that can implemented in clinical practice.
METHODOLOGY
Research Design
This research used a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group post-test-only design (Miller et al., 2020), which is the aim of examining causality between an intervention and an outcome (Denny et al., 2023). Respondents were assessed using the nursing problem analysis ability instrument.
Study Setting and Sample
This research was conducted at the Muhammadiyah Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Palembang on nursing program students, from the Faculty of Health Sciences. Simple random sampling was used due to target population are equally likely to be selected randomly. Then, randomly selecting using computer-generated list to recruited the respondents (Sarfo et al., 2022). As much as 88 nursing students were recruited based on the inclusion criteria, including had taken nursing process as well as critical thinking courses, and in semester 6.
Intervention
Nursing problem analysis ability was assessed using Gordon nursing assessment, NANDA-I, and SDKI categorisation, consisting of 20 statements. These statements described various nursing problem analysis skills, such as distinguishing relevant from irrelevant data, validation, organisation, categorisation, identifying patterns and relationships, drawing conclusions, and establishing problems.
Content Validity Index
The analysis of the nursing problem using the content validity index (Mean I-CVI) involved five experts, with each statement categorised as either relevant or irrelevant. The Mean I-CVI score was 0.97, indicating high validity for the nursing problem analysis skill question. The results also showed that the nursing problem analysis was highly relevant, with expert evaluations ranging from 1 to 0.97. Additionally, a consensus analysis based on Joseph and Rotty (2020) determined the priority nursing problems using a Likert scale. The four main nursing problems identified were ineffective airway clearance, chronic pain, nutritional deficits, and ineffective breathing patterns. The Fleiss' Kappa test for agreement among experts yielded a score of 0.452 (95% CI, 0.445 - 0.459), indicating a moderate strength of agreement, with 95% confidence that the true population value lies between 0.445 and 0.459 (Polit & Beck, 2021; Landis & Koch, 1977).
Data Collection and Analysis
Data collection was carried out on April 26, 2024, at the Muhammadiyah Institute of Health Sciences and Technology Palembang where 88 nursing students willingly participated in this research. The respondents were divided into three groups, namely 1 (SDKI assessment of 29 respondents), 2 (Gordon assessment of 30 respondents), and 3 (NANDA-I assessment of 29 respondents).
Each respondent was given the same case with a nursing assessment format according to the group division including group 1-SDKI Categorisation Assessment, group 2-Gordon Assessment, and group 3-NANDA-I Assessment. Furthermore, respondents filled out the questionnaire provided to determine ability to analyse problems based on the assessment format used. Each respondent given time for 60 – 90 minutes to finished assessment and determined the nursing problems based on the signs and symptoms that appeared. Data analysis in this research used the ANOVA Test (the effect size, or magnitude of the differences between groups, Eta square= 0.00074), but after the normality test was carried out, the data was not normally distributed. Another alternative test was used in the form of a non-parametric test, namely the Kruskall Wallis (Table 3).
Ethical Consideration
This research received ethical approval from the Ethical Committee, IKesT Muhammadiyah Palembang, Indonesia, with reference number 000201/KEP on 4th March, 2024.
RESULTS
Table 1 shows the frequency distribution of nursing students' abilities in analysing and determining nursing problems across three assessment formats: SDKI, Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns, and NANDA-I. The table presents students' self-reported responses on a 5- point Likert scale for 20 skill statements, covering key aspects like data identification, categorisation, and problem formulation. Most students responded with Agree to Strongly Agree, indicating moderate to high competence in nursing problem analysis. Mean scores ranged from 2.73 to 3.31, suggesting confidence in core analytical skills but some challenges in categorising problems and determining aetiology.
Questions | Analysis | Mean | |||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |||||||
Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Agree | Strongly Agree | Totally Agree | |||||||
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | ||
I can determine the main data in the assessment results | 3 | 3.4 | 2 | 2.3 | 60 | 68.2 | 12 | 13.6 | 11 | 12.5 | 3.30 |
I can determine data that is related to nursing problems | 3 | 3.4 | 6 | 6.8 | 59 | 67.0 | 14 | 15.9 | 6 | 6.8 | 3.16 |
I can distinguish data that is not related to nursing problems | 1 | 1.1 | 6 | 6.8 | 52 | 59.1 | 23 | 26.1 | 6 | 6.8 | 3.31 |
I know the supporting data that can be used in determining the problem | 4 | 4.5 | 10 | 11.4 | 40 | 45.5 | 24 | 27.3 | 10 | 11.4 | 3.30 |
I know the information that is useful in determining the problem | 6 | 6.8 | 12 | 13.6 | 40 | 45.5 | 20 | 22.7 | 10 | 11.4 | 3.18 |
I do not include unimportant information in determining the problem | 8 | 9.1 | 21 | 23.9 | 41 | 46.6 | 11 | 12.5 | 7 | 8.0 | 2.86 |
I distinguish important data in determining the problem according to clinical experience | 1 | 1.1 | 17 | 19.3 | 45 | 51.1 | 20 | 22.7 | 5 | 5.7 | 3.13 |
I am sure that the assessment data is appropriate and correct for determining the problem | 1 | 1.1 | 10 | 11.4 | 47 | 53.4 | 24 | 27.3 | 6 | 6.8 | 3.27 |
I cross-check the data to determine the assessment problem | 3 | 3.4 | 6 | 6.8 | 52 | 59.1 | 19 | 21.6 | 8 | 9.1 | 3.26 |
I am sure that the assessment data is valid and accurate in determining the problem | 0 | 0.0 | 17 | 19.3 | 41 | 46.6 | 19 | 21.6 | 11 | 12.5 | 3.27 |
I can easily group assessment data according to signs and symptoms | 3 | 3.4 | 14 | 15.9 | 46 | 52.3 | 17 | 19.3 | 8 | 9.1 | 3.15 |
I can easily place data in the problem categorisation | 1 | 1.1 | 18 | 20.5 | 44 | 50.0 | 21 | 23.9 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.10 |
I do not experience confusion in determining | 6 | 6.8 | 35 | 39.8 | 27 | 30.7 | 17 | 19.3 | 3 | 3.4 | 2.73 |
categories in determining the problem | |||||||||||
The assessment format provides a clear flow for determining the problem | 1 | 1.1 | 12 | 13.6 | 50 | 56.8 | 17 | 19.3 | 8 | 9.1 | 3.20 |
I can easily identify data with nursing problems that may arise | 2 | 2.3 | 15 | 17.0 | 45 | 51.1 | 19 | 21.6 | 7 | 8.0 | 3.16 |
I know the relationship between data and problems according to their categorisation | 2 | 2.3 | 17 | 19.3 | 38 | 43.2 | 25 | 28.4 | 6 | 6.8 | 3.18 |
I can identify the relationship between data and their categorisation | 2 | 2.3 | 16 | 18.2 | 43 | 48.9 | 21 | 23.9 | 6 | 6.8 | 3.15 |
I can formulate nursing problems easily | 3 | 3.4 | 15 | 17.0 | 46 | 52.3 | 16 | 18.2 | 8 | 9.1 | 3.13 |
I can determine nursing aetiology | 4 | 4.5 | 17 | 19.3 | 49 | 55.7 | 14 | 15.9 | 4 | 4.5 | 2.97 |
I can identify signs and symptoms according to their categorisation | 3 | 3.4 | 13 | 14.8 | 50 | 56.8 | 18 | 20.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 3.00 |
In summary, Table 1 shows that nursing students possess adequate but varied analytical abilities, with stronger skills in data identification and validation, and weaker performance in problem categorisation and distinguishing unimportant information.
Item | Nursing Assessment Using SDKI (n: 29) | Nursing Assessment Using Gordon (n: 30) | Nursing Assessment Using NANDA-I (n: 29) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | n | % | |
P1 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 24 | 27.3 | 4 | 4.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 1 | 1.1 | 17 | 19.3 | 3 | 3.4 | 6 | 6.8 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 19 | 21.6 | 5 | 5.7 | 5 | 5.7 |
P2 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.3 | 25 | 28.4 | 2 | 2.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 1 | 1.1 | 17 | 19.3 | 7 | 8.0 | 2 | 2.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 17 | 19.3 | 5 | 5.7 | 4 | 4.5 |
P3 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.3 | 17 | 19.3 | 10 | 11.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 19 | 21.6 | 6 | 6.8 | 3 | 3.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 16 | 18.2 | 7 | 8.0 | 3 | 3.4 |
P4 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.3 | 16 | 18.2 | 10 | 11.4 | 1 | 1.1 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.7 | 14 | 15.9 | 3 | 3.4 | 4 | 4.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 10 | 11.4 | 11 | 12.5 | 5 | 5.7 |
P5 | 1 | 1.1 | 2 | 2.3 | 15 | 17.0 | 11 | 12.5 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 6 | 6.8 | 15 | 17.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 10 | 11.4 | 5 | 5.7 | 6 | 6.8 |
P6 | 1 | 1.1 | 9 | 10.2 | 14 | 15.9 | 4 | 4.5 | 1 | 1.1 | 4 | 4.5 | 7 | 8.0 | 12 | 13.6 | 5 | 5.7 | 2 | 2.3 | 3 | 3.4 | 5 | 5.7 | 15 | 17.0 | 2 | 2.3 | 4 | 4.5 |
P7 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 19 | 21.6 | 7 | 8.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 5 | 5.7 | 14 | 15.9 | 7 | 8.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 9 | 10.2 | 12 | 13.6 | 6 | 6.8 | 2 | 2.3 |
P8 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 18 | 20.5 | 8 | 9.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 3 | 3.4 | 14 | 15.9 | 9 | 10.2 | 3 | 3.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 15 | 17.0 | 7 | 8.0 | 3 | 3.4 |
P9 | 1 | 1.1 | 3 | 3.4 | 17 | 19.3 | 6 | 6.8 | 2 | 2.3 | 1 | 1.1 | 2 | 2.3 | 19 | 21.6 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 16 | 18.2 | 9 | 10.2 | 2 | 2.3 |
P10 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.3 | 19 | 21.6 | 8 | 9.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 6 | 6.8 | 14 | 15.9 | 5 | 5.7 | 5 | 5.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 9 | 10.2 | 8 | 9.1 | 6 | 6.8 | 6 | 6.8 |
P11 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 17 | 19.3 | 8 | 9.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 20 | 22.7 | 5 | 5.7 | 3 | 3.4 | 2 | 2.3 | 9 | 10.2 | 9 | 10.2 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.7 |
P12 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 5.7 | 15 | 17.0 | 9 | 10.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 7 | 8.0 | 14 | 15.9 | 8 | 9.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 6 | 6.8 | 15 | 17.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 4 | 4.5 |
P13 | 1 | 1.1 | 8 | 9.1 | 13 | 14.8 | 7 | 8.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 1 2 | 13.6 | 8 | 9.1 | 4 | 4.5 | 2 | 2.3 | 1 | 1.1 | 15 | 17.0 | 6 | 6.8 | 6 | 6.8 | 1 | 1.1 |
P14 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 21 | 23.9 | 7 | 8.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 7 | 8.0 | 13 | 14.8 | 7 | 8.0 | 2 | 2.3 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 5.7 | 15 | 17.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 6 | 6.8 |
P15 | 0 | 0.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 14 | 15.9 | 10 | 11.4 | 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 7 | 8.0 | 16 | 18.2 | 5 | 5.7 | 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 4 | 4.5 | 15 | 17.0 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.7 |
P16 | 1 | 1.1 | 5 | 5.7 | 14 | 15.9 | 9 | 10.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 3 | 3.4 | 12 | 13.6 | 1 1 | 12.5 | 3 | 3.4 | 0 | 0.0 | 9 | 10.2 | 12 | 13.6 | 5 | 5.7 | 3 | 3.4 |
P17 | 0 | 0.0 | 7 | 8.0 | 13 | 14.8 | 8 | 9.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 17 | 19.3 | 8 | 9.1 | 2 | 2.3 | 2 | 2.3 | 6 | 6.8 | 13 | 14.8 | 5 | 5.7 | 3 | 3.4 |
P18 | 0 | 0.0 | 6 | 6.8 | 13 | 14.8 | 9 | 10.2 | 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 2 | 2.3 | 19 | 21.6 | 5 | 5.7 | 3 | 3.4 | 2 | 2.3 | 7 | 8.0 | 14 | 15.9 | 2 | 2.3 | 4 | 4.5 |
P19 | 1 | 1.1 | 5 | 5.7 | 18 | 20.5 | 5 | 5.7 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 2.3 | 3 | 3.4 | 20 | 22.7 | 4 | 4.5 | 1 | 1.1 | 1 | 1.1 | 9 | 10.2 | 11 | 12.5 | 5 | 5.7 | 3 | 3.4 |
P20 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 3.4 | 17 | 19.3 | 9 | 10.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 1.1 | 2 1 | 23.9 | 0 | 0.0 | 6 | 6.8 | 2 | 2.3 | 2 | 2.3 | 10 | 11.4 | 12 | 13.6 | 3 | 3.4 | 2 | 2.3 |
Table 2 shows the frequency distribution of student’s abilities in analysing the determination of nursing problems in the three groups including SDKI, Gordon, and NANDA-I. The mean value was 3.15, (minimum: 2.73; maximum: 3.30), indicating that the nursing assessment used can help in determining, selecting, and establishing nursing problems, with the majority falling in the agreed category.
The student’s ability in nursing assessment had a mean of 3.13, 3.13, and 3.17 in the SDKI, Gordon, and NANDA groups respectively. This indicates that students’ abilities to analyse the determination of nursing problems were not significantly different, with the majority falling in the agreed category.
Nursing Assessment | Mean Rank | P value |
SDKI (n: 29) | 47.53 | 0.632 |
Gordon (n: 30) | 44.82 | |
NANDA (n: 29) | 41.14 |
= 0.005
As shown in Table 3, NANDA-I assessment had the lowest mean value in establishing nursing problems, at 41.14, while SDKI had the highest value at 47.53. The test results obtained a p- value = 0.632, suggesting no significant difference between the use of the SDKI, Gordon, and NANDA-I assessment formats. However, based on the mean rank value, SDKI (47.53) had a higher value compared to Gordon and NANDA-I.
Variable | Mean | SD | Min - Max | P value |
SDKI - Gordon | 62.64 | 8.96 | 43 - 88 | 0.710 |
SDKI – NANDA-I | 62.95 | 11.31 | 48 - 100 | 0.322 |
Gordon – NANDA-I | 62.97 | 12.53 | 43 - 100 | 0.606 |
a = 0.005
To determine the mean difference between the groups, the Mann-Whitney U Test was used because the post hoc test could not be carried out using the Krusskal Wallis pairwise comparison. As shown in Table 4, the mean difference in students' abilities to determine nursing problems was as follows SDKI - Gordon group was 62.64 (SD: 8.96, p-value: 0.710), SDKI - NANDA-I was 62.95 (SD: 11.31, p-value: 0.322), and Gordon - NANDA-I was 62.97 (SD: 12.53, p-value: 0.606). The results showed that there was no significant difference in the mean analytical abilities of students across the three groups.
Nursing Diagnosis | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 | |||
f | % | f | % | f | % | |
Ineffective airway clearance | 5 | 16.67 | 6 | 20.00 | 6 | 20.69 |
Chronic pain | 0 | 0.00 | 1 | 3.33 | 4 | 13.79 |
Nutrition deficit | 24 | 80.00 | 15 | 50.00 | 17 | 58.62 |
Ineffective breathing pattern | 17 | 56.67 | 5 | 16.67 | 18 | 62.07 |
Mean percentages | 38.33 | 22.50 | 38.79 | |||
Further analysis regarding the percentage of nursing problem determination by students (Table 5) showed that nutritional deficits and ineffective breathing patterns were most frequently reported, followed by ineffective breathing patterns in each group, while chronic pain had the lowest percentage.
DISCUSSION
The results (Table 4) showed that there was no significant difference in the assessment format used in establishing nursing problems. This may be influenced by several factors, including students' early exposure to nursing assessment formats such as NANDA-I, Gordon’s Functional Health Patterns, and the Indonesian Standard Nursing Diagnosis (SDKI). Since 2016, the Indonesian National Nurses Association (PPNI) has mandated SDKI use in academic and clinical settings, fostering the growth and collaboration of various Standardised Nursing Languages, including NANDA-I. Despite differences in domains, NANDA-I and SDKI share similarities in the nursing problems they identify, which aids students in analysing and determining nursing problems. The absence of significant differences between the three assessment formats could be attributed to students’ familiarity with these tools. Notably, SDKI had a higher mean rank compared to Gordon and NANDA-I. Overall, SDKI, NANDA-I, and Gordon can be used when there is continuity between the assessment and the nursing problem list (Tiranda, 2023). Comparisons between assessment instruments did not reveal significant differences in determining nursing problems.
SDKI categorisation is not considered a reference for use in both academics and clinics. However, the suitability of the categories and sub-categories provides convenience in determining nursing problems accurately and effectively. The framework of 11 functional health patterns can be used to comprehensively describe health status (Butcher et al., 2024). The use of the Gordon 11 functional health pattern assessment model in the care of heart failure patients has strong significance in terms of improving quality of life and reducing readmission rates (Türen & Enç, 2020). Regarding NANDA-I, 72% of research uses the NANDA-I terminology (Kamitsuru et al., 2021) which has an impact on the quality of nursing documentation (Tastan et al., 2014) and provides benefits in clinical practice (Rodríguez- Suárez et al., 2023). Understanding the elements of the NANDA-I terminology, including defining characteristics and related factors, is crucial for accurately identifying nursing diagnoses (Yalcinkaya et al., 2025).
Nursing process is an important indicator in clinical practice, but some students still have difficulty in implementing this aspect (Park & Jeong, 2022; Parvan et al., 2021), inadequate knowledge, limited clinical experience, and insufficient educational exposure represent key barriers to the effective implementation of the nursing process by students (Shahzeydi et al., 2024). To improve the quality of the nursing process, specifically assessments, the role of educators, both academic and clinical, in developing innovative methods is crucial. The achievement of nursing competencies is an immediate result of the educational framework (Purabdollah et al., 2025). The systematic use of simulation methods can increase self- confidence as well as cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning abilities. For example, in the application of the nursing process system using North American Nursing Diagnosis Association International (NANDA-I), Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC), and Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC), nurses aim to determine the right diagnosis for patients, NOC indicators, and NIC labels. Appropriate and comprehensive nursing assessment of patients is the main key to preventing unexpected events (Burdeu et al., 2021). Therefore, nursing assessments are carried out based on the evidence obtained (Butler, 2018). Nursing assessments support the accuracy of the determination by recognising a number of defining characteristics (De Groot et al., 2019).
Nursing assessment is very crucial for the development of patient health status. This shows that nursing assessments have a very important role in analysing and evaluating patient development status periodically and comprehensively (Gasperini et al., 2021). Based on different research, nurses still do not complete nursing assessments (Lindo et al., 2016) as observed in more than 60% of records in three hospitals within Jamaica. Iula et al., (2020) reported that assessments of pain and nutritional status were not recorded in 12,513 nursing records in Italy. Other deficiencies that often occur include functional and fall assessments, as well as pressure ulcers (Bail et al., 2021; Zendrato et al., 2019). Similar conditions also occur in Indonesia where the quality and continuity of nursing care are still not optimal. Incomplete nursing assessments occur due to the complexity of clients and nurses workloads, varying terminology and classifications, persistent use of printed form as well as variations in instruments (Aleandri et al., 2022; Zendrato et al., 2019).
The results found 14 nursing problems, with four considered priorities based on existing cases (Table 5), namely ineffective airway clearance, chronic pain, nutritional deficits, and ineffective breathing patterns. Differences in nursing problems experienced by students are not only attributed to the use of various assessments but also associated with several other factors. These include student knowledge, different critical thinking skills, as well as understanding the nursing process comprehensively. Nursing assessment is part of the process where there are several challenges in determining problems, including the level of accuracy oriented toward medical and physiological problems (Freire et al., 2018). In addition, several obstacles to effective implementation are knowledge, competence, skills, as well as attitudes in formulating and implementing the nursing process that starts during assessment and data collection (Asmirajanti et al., 2019; Iula et al., 2020; Khatiban et al., 2019). The diversity of the 14 nursing problems identified suggests that students demonstrate critical thinking in analysing nursing problems from various perspectives. However, it also indicates that students may lack a clear understanding of how to accurately determine nursing diagnoses, which could affect patient outcomes. Clinical experience plays a crucial role, as prior knowledge of a case influences diagnosis identification. Additionally, nursing students must assess patients' complaints, signs, and symptoms based on their responses, not solely on medical diagnoses.
Immonen et al. (2019) emphasised the need for nursing students to improve their competence in critical thinking, decision-making, and collaboration to become professional nurses. Increasing study hours could enhance students' competence in developing nursing processes (Kamblash et al., 2024). Despite using various assessment formats like SDKI, NANDA-I, and Gordon’s 11 Functional Health Patterns, the nursing process remains challenging due to factors such as nurses' routine changes, knowledge, experience, and patient load. Standardised nursing terminologies help implement care plans aligned with nursing procedures, improving patient outcomes and supporting evidence-based practices and global data sharing (Zhang et al., 2021). Clinical experience significantly influences students' critical thinking and clinical decision- making skills. Insufficient preparation in education may result in inadequate analytical skills and confidence, with inconsistencies in how universities communicate professional values to students.
Determining the right diagnosis can help care in formulating goals and nursing actions needed by the client. Conversely, wrong nursing diagnosis causes errors in compiling a plan, potentially leading to negligence and malpractice (Hariyati et al., 2020; Reis et al., 2022). It is important to have a system that helps nurses establish the right diagnosis based on data obtained during assessments. To improve accuracy in establishing nursing problems and diagnoses, there needs to be a change in critical thinking, reasoning skills, and clinical judgment among nurses on an ongoing basis (Paans et al., 2012). Nurses should be able to make accurate diagnoses in problem-solving based on the use of critical thinking as well as skills in decision- making to provide safe, effective, and efficient services (Bertocchi et al., 2023).
Limitations
The limitations associated with this research include using only one educational institution, no initial screening of students critical thinking ability, and failure to evaluate the effect of assessment format on the accuracy and precision of nursing problems. Using the right and easy- to-understand nursing assessment format by nurses could affect patient outcomes.
CONCLUSION
It is seen that nursing assessments using the SDKI, NANDA-I, and Gordon 11 Functional Health Patterns categorisations did not have statistically different significance. This indicates that the use of nursing assessment formats does not have an impact on the identification of nursing problems. However, based on the ranking, the use of the SDKI assessment format tends to be better than other assessment formats, although the difference is not statistically significant. Based on the results, it recommended that the nursing assessment can be used as a reference for education and hospitals in using assessments based on the SDKI or NANDA- I or Gordon to provide work efficiency in enforcing nursing problems. However, further research is needed on students critical thinking, specifically in determining nursing problems. It is also necessary to determine the accuracy of enforcing nursing problems based on the assessment format used in clinical service settings as well as nursing and specialist education students in Indonesia. Further research could also focus on cultural adaptations, the accuracy of nursing diagnoses, and the potential for new tools or technologies to enhance assessment effectiveness. Additionally, studies could examine the role of these frameworks in improving patient outcomes and refining nursing curricula through more practical, hands-on training.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are thankful to IKesT Muhammadiyah Palembang, Indonesia for the scholars and all participant in this study.
REFERENCES
Aleandri, M., Scalorbi, S., & Pirazzini, M. C. (2022). Electronic nursing care plans through the use of NANDA, NOC, and NIC taxonomies in community setting: A descriptive study in northern Italy. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 33(1), 72–80. https://doi.org/10.1111/2047-3095.12326
Allen, E., Williams, A., Jennings, D., Stomski, N., Goucke, R., Toye, C., ... & McCullough, K. (2018). Revisiting the pain resource nurse role in sustaining evidence‐based practice changes for pain assessment and management. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 15(5), 368- 376. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12318
Asmirajanti, M., Hamid, A. Y. S., & Hariyati, Rr. T. S. (2019). Nursing care activities based on documentation. BMC Nursing, 18(S1), 32. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-019-0352-0
Asosiasi Institusi Pendidikan Ners Indonesia. (2021). Kurikulum Pendidikan Ners Indonesia Tahun 2021 [Indonesian Nursing Education Curriculum 2021]. AIPNI. https://repository.umj.ac.id/11480/1/buku%20kurikulum%20pendidikan%20Ners%20thn%20 2021%20edit%2023%20maret%202022_siap%20cetak.pdf
Bail, K., Merrick, E., Bridge, C., & Redley, B. (2020). Documenting patient risk and nursing interventions: Record audit. The Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 38(1), 36-44. https://doi.org/10.37464/2020.381.167
Bertocchi, L., Dante, A., La Cerra, C., Masotta, V., Marcotullio, A., Caponnetto, V., ... & Petrucci, C. (2024). Nursing diagnosis accuracy in nursing education: clinical decision support system compared with paper-based documentation—a before and after study. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 42(1), 44-52. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000001066
Burdeu, G., Lowe, G., Rasmussen, B., & Considine, J. (2021). Clinical cues used by nurses to recognize changes in patients’ clinical states: A systematic review. Nursing & Health Sciences, 23(1), 9–28. https://doi.org/10.1111/nhs.12778
Butcher, R. D. C. G. E. S., Guandalini, L. S., De Barros, A. L. B. L., Damiani, B. B., & Jones, D. A. (2024). Psychometric evaluation of the functional health pattern assessment screening tool – modified Brazilian Version. Revista Latino-Americana de Enfermagem, 32, e4119. https://doi.org/10.1590/1518-8345.6755.4119
Butcher, R. D. C. G. E. S., & Jones, D. A. (2021). An integrative review of comprehensive nursing assessment tools developed based on Gordon's Eleven Functional Health Patterns. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 32(4), 294-307. https://doi.org/10.1111/2047-3095.12321
Butler, C. (2018). Nurses’ experiences of managing patient deterioration following a post- registration education programme: A critical incident analysis study. Nurse Education in Practice, 28, 96–102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2017.10.014
De Groot, K., Triemstra, M., Paans, W., & Francke, A. L. (2019). Quality criteria, instruments, and requirements for nursing documentation: A systematic review of systematic reviews. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(7), 1379–1393. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13919
Denny, M., Denieffe, S., & O’Sullivan, K. (2023). 15-Non-equivalent control group pretest– posttest design in social and behavioral research, The Cambridge Handbook of Research Methods and Statistics for the Social and Behavioral Sciences (1st ed., pp. 314–332). Cambridge University Press, UK. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009010054.016
Edelman, C., & Kudzma, E. C. (2021). Health promotion throughout the life span-e-book. Elsevier Health Sciences.
Freire, V. E. C., Lopes, M. V. O., Keenan, G. M., & Lopez, K. D. (2018). Nursing students’ diagnostic accuracy using a computer-based clinical scenario simulation. Nurse Education Today, 71, 240–246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2018.10.001
Gasperini, B., Pelusi, G., Frascati, A., Sarti, D., Dolcini, F., Espinosa, E., & Prospero, E. (2021). Predictors of adverse outcomes using a multidimensional nursing assessment in an Italian community hospital. PLoS One, 16(4), e0249630. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249630
Gordon, M. (2014). Manual of nursing diagnosis (13th edition). Jones & Bartlett Learning, US.
Hariyati, Rr. T. S., Handiyani, H., Rahman, L. A., & Afriani, T. (2020). Description and validation of nursing diagnosis using electronic documentation: Study cases in mother and child hospital Indonesia. The Open Nursing Journal, 14(1), 300–308.https://doi.org/10.2174/1874434602014010300
Kamitsuru, S., Herdman, T. H., & Takáo Lopes, C. (2021). Future improvement of the NANDA-I terminology. Nursing Diagnoses. Definitions and Classification, 2023, 50-56. https://doi.org/10.1055/b000000515
Immonen, K., Oikarainen, A., Tomietto, M., Kääriäinen, M., Tuomikoski, A.-M., Kaučič, B. M., Filej, B., Riklikiene, O., Flores Vizcaya-Moreno, M., Perez-Cañaveras, R. M., De Raeve, P., & Mikkonen, K. (2019). Assessment of nursing students’ competence in clinical practice: A systematic review of reviews. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 100, 103414. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2019.103414
Iula, A., Ialungo, C., De Waure, C., Raponi, M., Burgazzoli, M., Zega, M., Galletti, C., & Damiani, G. (2020). Quality of care: Ecological study for the evaluation of completeness and accuracy in nursing assessment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(9), 3259. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17093259
Joseph, J., & Rotty, L. W. A. (2020). Kanker Paru: Laporan Kasus [Lung Cancer: A Case Report]. Medical Scope Journal, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.35790/msj.2.1.2020.31108
Kelsey, N. C., & Claus, S. (2016). Embedded, in situ simulation improves ability to rescue. [Embedded, in situ simulation improves ability to rescue]. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 12(11), 522–527. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2016.07.009
Kamblash, A. J., Jafari, M. J., Nemati-Vakilabad, R., Mojebi, M. R., Mostafazadeh, P., & Mirzaei, A. (2024). Nursing students’ competency about writing nursing care plan: an exploratory study in Iran. Journal of Nursing Management, 2024(1), 6653850. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6653850
Khatiban, M., Tohidi, S., & Shahdoust, M. (2019). The effects of applying an assessment form based on the health functional patterns on nursing student’s attitude and skills in developing the nursing process. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 6(3), 329–333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2019.06.004
Landis, J. R., & Koch, G. G. (1977). The measurement of observer agreement for categorical data. Biometrics, 33(1), 159–174. https://doi.org/10.2307/2529310
Lindo, J., Stennett, R., Stephenson‐Wilson, K., Barrett, K. A., Bunnaman, D., Anderson‐ Johnson, P., Waugh‐Brown, V., & Wint, Y. (2016). An audit of nursing documentation at three public hospitals in Jamaica. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 48(5), 499–507. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12234
Lotfi, M., Zamanzadeh, V., Khodayari‐Zarnaq, R., & Mobasseri, K. (2021). Nursing process from theory to practice: Evidence from the implementation of “Coming back to existence caring model” in burn wards. Nursing Open, 8(5), 2794–2800. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.856
Miller, C. J., Smith, S. N., & Pugatch, M. (2020). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs in implementation research. Psychiatry Research, 283, 112452. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2019.06.027
Müller-Staub, M., Needham, I., Odenbreit, M., Lavin, M. A., & van Achterberg, T. (2007). Improved quality of nursing documentation: Results of a nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes implementation study. International Journal of Nursing Terminologies and Classifications, 18(1), 5–17. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-618X.2007.00043.x
Paans, W., Sermeus, W., Nieweg, R. M., Krijnen, W. P., & Van Der Schans, C. P. (2012). Do knowledge, knowledge sources and reasoning skills affect the accuracy of nursing diagnoses? A randomised study. BMC Nursing, 11(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-11-11
Palmer, R. M. (2018). The acute care for elders unit model of care. Geriatrics, 3(3), 59.https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics3030059
Park, J., & Jeong, S. (2022). The analysis of nursing diagnoses determined by students for patients in rehabilitation units. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 18(5), 299–307. https://doi.org/10.12965/jer.2244336.168
Parvan, K., Hosseini, F. A., Jasemi, M., & Thomson, B. (2021). Attitude of nursing students following the implementation of comprehensive computer-based nursing process in medical surgical internship: A quasi-experimental study. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 21(1), 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-020-01378-6
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2008). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia.
Polit, D. F., Beck, C. T., & Owen, S. V. (2007). Is the CVI an acceptable indicator of content validity? Appraisal and recommendations. Research in Nursing & Health, 30(4), 459–467. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.20199
Purabdollah, M., Zamanzadeh, V., Ghahramanian, A., Valizadeh, L., Ghasempour, M., & Mousavi, S. (2025). Determining and comparing the achieved competencies of graduating nursing students of public and private universities in Iran. BMC Medical Education, 25(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06622-5
Reis, G. A. X. D., Matsuda, L. M., Souza, V. S. D., Ferreira, A. M. D., Oliveira, J. L. C. D., Costa, M. A. R., & Inoue, K. C. (2022). Judicialization of nursing malpractice in perioperative care, and delivery and birth assistance. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 75(1), e20200066. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2020-0066
Rodríguez-Suárez, C.-A., González-de La Torre, H., Hernández-De Luis, M.-N., Fernández- Gutiérrez, D.-Á., Martínez-Alberto, C.-E., & Brito-Brito, P.-R. (2023). Effectiveness of a Standardized Nursing Process Using NANDA International, nursing interventions classification and nursing outcome classification terminologies: A systematic review. Healthcare, 11(17), 2449. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11172449
Rodziewicz, T. L., Houseman, B., Vaqar, S., & Hipskind, J. E. (2024). Medical error reduction and prevention. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing, US. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499956/
Sarfo, J. O., Debrah, T. P., Gbordzoe, N. I., & Obengg, P. (2022). Types of Sampling methods in human research: Why, when and how? European Researcher, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.13187/er.2022.2.55
Shahzeydi, A., Abazari, P., Gorji-varnosfaderani, F., Ashouri, E., Abolhassani, S., & Sabohi, F. (2024). Breaking the taboo of using the nursing process: Lived experiences of nursing students and faculty members. BMC Nursing, 23(1), 621. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024- 02233-z
Tastan, S., Linch, G. C. F., Keenan, G. M., Stifter, J., McKinney, D., Fahey, L., Lopez, K. D., Yao, Y., & Wilkie, D. J. (2014). Evidence for the existing American Nurses Association- recognized standardized nursing terminologies: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 51(8), 1160–1170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2013.12.004
Tim Pokja SDKI DPP PPNI. (2017). Standar Diagnosis Keperawatan Indonesia: Definisi dan Indikator Diagnostik (1st ed.) [Indonesian Nursing Diagnosis Standards: Definitions and Diagnostic Indicators (1st ed.)]. Persatuan Perawatan Nasional Indonesia, Indonesia. https://slimstrial.stikesbethesda.ac.id/slims/index.php?p=show_detail&id=5963&keywords=
Tiranda, Y. (2023). Integrasi SDKI, SLKI dan SIKI (Berdasarkan Pengkajian 11 Pola Fungsional Kesehatan Gordon) [Integration of SDKI, SLKI and SIKI (Based on the Study of
11 Gordon Functional Health Patterns)]. Trans Info Media, Indonesia. https://kubuku.id/detail/integrasi-sdki-slki-dan-siki-berdasarkan-pengkajian-11-pola-fungsional- kesehatan-gordon-/55063
Togni, S., Saracino, L., Cieri, M., Bianco, R., Terzoni, S., Giulia, S. M., ... & Depalma, L. (2025). Implementing oncologic nursing care plans in electronic health records with two taxonomies: A pilot study. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 47(3), 159-168. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459241310402
Türen, S., & Enç, N. (2020). A comparison of Gordon's functional health patterns model and standard nursing care in symptomatic heart failure patients: A randomized controlled trial. Applied Nursing Research, 53, 151247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151247
Yalcinkaya, T., Ünsal, E., Dönmez, A., & Yucel, S. C. (2025). “I would like to use it more effectively…” nursing student’s experiences with NANDA-I nursing terminology: A qualitative descriptive study. BMC Nursing, 24(1), 55. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025- 02724-7
Yusoff, M. S. B. (2019). ABC of content validation and content validity index calculation. Education in Medicine Journal, 11(2), 49–54. https://doi.org/10.21315/eimj2019.11.2.6
Zendrato, M. V., Hariyati, Rr. T. S., & Afifah, E. (2019). Outpatient nursing care implementations in Indonesian regional public hospitals. Enfermería Clínica, 29, 449–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enfcli.2019.04.066
Zhang, T., Wu, X., Peng, G., Zhang, Q., Chen, L., Cai, Z., & Ou, H. (2021). Effectiveness of standardized nursing terminologies for nursing practice and healthcare outcomes: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Knowledge, 32(4), 220–228. https://doi.org/10.1111/2047-3095.12315