Content validation of impaired skin integrity and urinary incontinence in the home health setting

The purpose of this study was to examine content validity of two nursing diagnoses in the home health setting: impaired skin integrity and altered urinary elimination: total incontinence. Eighty-two home health nurses rated the importance of each of the defining characteristics for the two nursing diagnoses. Diagnostic content validity scores (DCV) were calculated for each defining characteristic for both diagnoses using the method described by Fehring (1986). Four characteristics for each diagnosis had DCV scores greater than .75, indicating characteristics were critical indicators for the diagnosis. Erythema, denuded skin, disruptions of dermal and epidermal tissue, and lesions were critical indicators for impaired skin integrity. Lack of awareness of incontinence, constant flow of urine, lack of awareness of bladder cues to void, and incontinence refractory to other treatments were critical indicators for alteration in urinary elimination: total incontinence.