[A Trojan horse in nursing? Nursing diagnosis and its theoretical context].

Nursing diagnosis and their theoretical context. The necessity of developing and using nursing diagnoses is indisputable. In the process of the professionalisation of nursing they constitute a fundamental aspect of nursing science. However, if nursing diagnoses are not to harm nursing, they must be developed with care. One difficulty will be to translate the theoretical framework in its abstract form into realisable elements in practice. For this purpose the nursing related terminology must be unambiguous and understandable. Nursing must seek the discussion with allied sciences. Nurses must develop their cognitive skills to ensure a valid use of nursing diagnoses. The areas common with other occupational groups in the treatment process have to be classified and their contents have to be determined. This is a challenge to colleagues in all areas of work and indifferent functions to participate in this development. It is also a challenge to nursing science itself.