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A content validation study of five nursing diagnoses by critical care nurses
A Wieseke1, K R Twibell, S Bennett
1Indiana University Hospital, Indianapolis.
Objective:
To identify frequently used nursing diagnoses as perceived by critical care nurses and to examine content validity of defining characteristics of five selected nursing diagnoses.
Design:
Retrospective, descriptive.
Setting:
Critical care units in one midwestern state.
Subjects:
Registered nurses, members of American Association of Critical Care Nurses, currently practicing in critical care units (n = 59).
Outcome Measures:
Diagnostic content validity (DCV) scores and the most frequently used diagnoses as perceived by the subjects as recorded on the Nursing Diagnoses Validation Instrument.
Procedure:
Mailed to subjects, self-administered.
Results:
Major defining characteristics were identified for all five nursing diagnoses. Alterations in Comfort and Impaired Skin Integrity were perceived as most frequently used diagnoses.
Conclusions:
Despite limitations of this study, findings reflected a consensus concerning defining characteristics of the nursing diagnoses Impaired Skin Integrity, Sleep Pattern Disturbance (Adult), and Activity Intolerance. Beginning support was found for defining characteristics of Sleep Pattern Disturbance (Child) and Parental Role Conflict. Additional content validation research that focuses on perceived frequently used diagnoses is indicated to generate clinically relevant nursing diagnoses.