Exploratory Assessment of the Internal Structure of the Spanish Version of the Persenius Scale for Enteral Nutrition...

Background/Objectives: Enteral nutrition is an essential component of care for critically ill patients, and nurses play a key role in its assessment, delivery, and monitoring. Although the Spanish version of the Persenius Scale has previously undergone translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and content validation, its structural validity has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the structural validity of the Spanish version of the Persenius Scale in a sample of intensive care unit nurses in Spain. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire administered to intensive care unit nurses. The analytical sample included 329 participants recruited through non-probability snowball sampling. Sampling adequacy was assessed using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin index and Bartlett's test of sphericity. Principal component analysis with Varimax rotation was performed to evaluate the structural validity of the instrument. Hierarchical cluster analysis was also used to examine the coherence of item grouping. Results: The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.88, and Bartlett's test of sphericity was significant, supporting the suitability of the data for component analysis. A five-component solution was retained, explaining approximately 58% of the total variance. The components were organizational resources, specialized training, professional responsibility, perceived competence, and technical modality of enteral administration. Organizational resources and professional responsibility showed the most homogeneous loading patterns, whereas several technical practice items demonstrated higher uniqueness and weaker structural integration. Conclusions: The present study provides preliminary evidence regarding the internal structure of the Spanish version of the Persenius Scale by demonstrating a clinically interpretable five-component structure. The instrument may support the assessment of educational, organizational, and professional aspects of enteral nutrition practice among intensive care unit nurses.