Student Cue Recognition in Pediatric Deterioration Signal Detection Trials: A Secondary Analysis

Background: Detecting cues of pediatric deterioration is challenging for nursing students due to pediatric physiological responses. The aims were to identify cues students noticed, how they interpreted and responded to cues, and how external factors influence decision-making during signal detection trials. Methods: A qualitative secondary analysis examined second-semester senior nursing students' cue recognition during signal detection trials. A convenience sample (n = 14) from a cohort at a private university participated. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed via content analysis. Results: Three themes emerged: noticed cues, student responses, and external factors. Noticed cues included assessments and vitals. Student responses included correct and incorrect responses to trials, and external factors included future plans, scenario characters, prior knowledge, and time elapsed. Conclusions: Key cues identified were respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, and work of breathing, correctly recognizing respiratory signals but misinterpreting others. Students relied on external factors to decide on patients' statuses.