[A descriptive study of the defining characteristics of nursing diagnosis: sexual dysfunction]

The defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis "Sexual Dysfunction" were gathered from NAAM assessment records. From this population 96 records with the defining characteristics of Sexual Dysfunction were selected. The 9 defining characteristics proposed by The North American Nursing Diagnosis Association were used as a framework for the data collection tool. The 3 most frequently defining characteristics were absence of sexual desire (71.9%), vaginal discharge (64.5%), and pain (44.8%). The authors concluded that 6 defining characteristics have not appeared; absence of sexual desire and vaginal discharge can be considered as minor characteristics. The authors recommend the implementation of other studies to clarify the subjective defining characteristics.