VALIDATION OF THE IMPAIRED GAS EXCHANGE DIAGNOSIS IN ADULTS RECEIVING EMERGENCY CARE

Abstract

This study aimed to validate the content of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis “impaired gas exchange” for an adult client with respiratory alterations and oxygenation receiving emergency care. Based on the defining characteristics of the diagnosis presented by NANDA and others identified in literature, an instrument was elaborated to assess the pertinence of these diagnosis elements, which was filled out by eleven nurses. Twenty-seven defining characteristics were presented, 12 of which obtained a mean score of 0.80 or higher, and 12 others scored between 0.50 and 0.79, so that all characteristics were considered validated. Three did not score high enough for validation.