A nurse tending to a patient's leg ulcer with ICNP symbols in the background.

Venous Ulcer Care: The Nurse's Guide to Diagnosis & Intervention

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Unlock the secrets to effective venous ulcer management with ICNP-based diagnoses and interventions."

Venous ulcers pose a significant public health challenge, leading to disability, pain, and social isolation, while also straining healthcare resources. Effective management is crucial, yet recurrence rates can be high.

Nursing plays a vital role in wound care, and a systematic approach is essential. Utilizing classification systems for nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions is key to providing high-quality care for individuals with venous ulcers.

The International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) offers a standardized framework, particularly when tailored to specific populations. This article explores the development and validation of an ICNP terminological subset for venous ulcer care, guided by Wanda Aguiar Horta's Theory of Basic Human Needs, which emphasizes the uniqueness of each patient.

ICNP-Based Nursing Diagnoses and Interventions for Venous Ulcers

A nurse tending to a patient's leg ulcer with ICNP symbols in the background.

A team of experienced nurse judges meticulously validated a comprehensive set of 84 nursing diagnoses and outcomes, along with 306 interventions. This subset, designed to enhance venous ulcer management, incorporates both existing ICNP diagnoses and novel diagnoses identified through research.

The diagnoses were organized using Wanda Aguiar Horta's framework of Basic Human Needs to facilitate clinical reasoning. This organization enables nurses to easily identify and address the holistic needs of patients with venous ulcers.

Here are examples of some nursing diagnoses:

Allergy
White atrophy
Irregular wound edges
Cellulitis
Full thickness wound
Hyperemia
Recurrent ulcer
Venous ulcer

This study highlights the crucial role of nurses in holistic patient care. By using this subset, nurses can provide well-rounded care that addresses the physical and emotional well-being of those suffering from venous ulcers. This ensures that the best care is delivered.

Putting it all Together

This research confirms that the ICNP is a practical and relevant framework for nurses, promoting well-organized workflows in both outpatient and hospital settings. The use of standardized terminology ensures consistent and effective care.

While this study offers valuable insights, it's essential to remember that clinical judgment remains paramount. Standardized tools like the ICNP subset should support, not replace, the nurse's expertise in tailoring care to each patient's unique needs.

Further studies are expected to assess the subset in diverse clinical environments. Such assessment will provide insight for possible inclusion in the professional practice of nurses caring for people with venous ulcer, in order to be a mechanism for improvement of the care provided.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What is the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) and why is it important in the context of venous ulcer care?

The International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP) is a standardized framework that helps nurses provide consistent and effective care for individuals with venous ulcers. It includes a set of validated nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions, ensuring a systematic approach to wound care. Using the ICNP allows nurses to communicate effectively and streamline workflows in various settings, such as outpatient clinics and hospitals.

Why are venous ulcers considered a significant health challenge?

Venous ulcers are a significant public health concern due to their potential to cause disability, pain, and social isolation. In addition, managing these ulcers strains healthcare resources. Effective management of venous ulcers is crucial to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. The recurrence rates can be high, making proper care and intervention essential.

How do nurses contribute to the care of individuals with venous ulcers, and why is it important?

Nurses play a vital role in the care of patients with venous ulcers. By utilizing the ICNP-based diagnoses and interventions, nurses can provide holistic care that addresses both the physical and emotional well-being of patients. This includes addressing the patient's Basic Human Needs, as defined by Wanda Aguiar Horta's Theory. The ICNP allows nurses to provide consistent care which is essential to deliver the best care possible.

How does Wanda Aguiar Horta's Theory of Basic Human Needs relate to the ICNP framework?

Wanda Aguiar Horta's Theory of Basic Human Needs is incorporated into the ICNP framework to guide clinical reasoning. It provides a structured approach to organizing nursing diagnoses, ensuring that nurses consider the unique needs of each patient with venous ulcers. By using this framework, nurses can address the holistic needs of patients, leading to improved care and outcomes. The ICNP allows nurses to easily identify and address the holistic needs of patients.

What specific diagnoses and interventions are included in the ICNP subset for venous ulcer management?

The research identified and validated a comprehensive set of nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and interventions using the ICNP. The study included 84 nursing diagnoses and outcomes along with 306 interventions. The use of this subset is designed to enhance venous ulcer management. Some examples of diagnoses include 'Allergy', 'White atrophy', and 'Recurrent ulcer'. This validated subset ensures that nurses have the tools and resources needed to provide high-quality care, improve patient outcomes, and promote well-organized workflows.