RESUMO
PURPOSE: We aimed to identify the cues of expert nurses and validate the cue information on the defining characteristics for a nursing diagnosis of ineffective self-management of fluid and dietary restrictions in dialysis therapy in Japan. METHODS: We used qualitative interviews and two-round Delphi studies. FINDINGS: The expert nurses regarded four signs of unmaintained fluid and dietary restrictions as major defining characteristics and nine other cues as minor defining characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Expert nurses in dialysis therapy regard symptoms of health behavior as major cues for nursing diagnosis of ineffective self-management of fluid and dietary restrictions in dialysis therapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Verification of the clinical validity and development of a specific, clinically useful database on nursing diagnoses are required.