Accuracy of the defining characteristics of respiratory nursing diagnoses in patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the accuracy of the defining characteristics of four respiratory nursing diagnoses (ND) in patients with COVID-19 and on oxygen therapy. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in four Brazilian public hospitals in two regions of the country. A total of 474 patients with COVID-19 receiving oxygen therapy were assessed. Latent-adjusted class analysis with random effects was used to establish the sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of the defining characteristics evaluated for each ND. RESULTS: Among the ND that constituted the study (impaired spontaneous ventilatory, impaired gas exchange, ineffective airway clearance, and dysfunctional ventilatory weaning response), the following defining characteristics had the highest simultaneous Se and Sp (>0.8): decrease in tidal volume, confusion, irritability, dyspnea, decreased breath sounds, orthopnea, impaired ability to cooperate and respond to coaching, and decrease in the level of consciousness. CONCLUSIONS: Recognizing the clinical signs that predict respiratory ND in patients affected by COVID-19 can contribute to the nurse's accurate diagnostic inference and designate the appropriate nursing interventions to achieve the desired results and avoid complications.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a acurácia das características definidoras de quatro Diagnósticos de Enfermagem (DE) respiratórios em pacientes com COVID­19 e em uso de oxigenoterapia. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, realizado em quatro hospitais públicos brasileiros de duas regiões do país. Foram avaliados 474 pacientes diagnosticados com COVID­19 e em uso de oxigenoterapia. A análise de classe latente ajustada com efeitos randômicos foi utilizada para estabelecer a sensibilidade (Se) e especificidade (Sp) das características definidoras avaliadas para cada DE. RESULTADOS: As características definidoras volume corrente diminuído, confusão, irritabilidade, dispneia, sons respiratórios diminuídos, ortopneia, capacidade prejudicada para cooperar e responder orientações, e nível de consciência diminuído foram as que obtiveram maior sensibilidade e especificidade simultaneamente (> 0.8) dentre os diagnósticos de enfermagem compuseram o estudo: Ventilação espontânea prejudicada, Resposta disfuncional ao desmame, Desobstrução ineficaz das vias aéreas e Troca de gases prejudicada. CONCLUSÕES: Conhecer os sinais clínicos preditores dos diagnósticos de enfermagem respiratórios em pacientes acometidos por COVID­19 pode contribuir para a inferência diagnóstica acurada do enfermeiro e designar as intervenções de enfermagem apropriadas para atingir os resultados desejados e evitar complicações.

Psychometric evaluation of the Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Modified Brazilian Version.

OBJECTIVE: to test the factorial structure, reliability and convergent validity of the Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Modified Brazilian Version. METHOD: this was a psychometric evaluation of the Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Modified Brazilian Version. Seven hundred and seventeen participants answered the data collection instrument consisting of two parts. Part I included a structured questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and the participants' perceptions and satisfaction with their current health status. Part II consisted of the tool being tested. The internal structure was assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Convergent validity was evaluated by the correlation of the tool scores with the rates corresponding to self-perception and satisfaction with current health status. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: the Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed a three-factor solution. The factor loadings were significant and varied from 0.16 to 0.75; the fit indices suggested moderate fit of the model. Internal consistency for all three components varied between 0.779 and 0.919. CONCLUSION: the findings suggest that the tool is valid and reliable to be used in the Brazilian population, although caution is recommended when interpreting the results due to the moderate fit of the model. BACKGROUND: (1) The FHPAST-BR is a structured, valid and reliable Nursing-driven assessment tool. BACKGROUND: (2) The tool provides a way of organizing clinical data and easing decision-making. BACKGROUND: (3) The FHPAST-BR can be used in clinical practice and research.

Psychometric evaluation of the Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Modified Brazilian Version / Evaluación psicométrica del instrumento Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Versión modificada para Brasil / Avaliação psicométrica do Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Versão Brasileira Modificada

Objective: to test the factorial structure, reliability and convergent validity of the Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Modified Brazilian Version. Method: this was a psychometric evaluation of the Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Modified Brazilian Version. Seven hundred and seventeen participants answered the data collection instrument consisting of two parts. Part I included a structured questionnaire to collect sociodemographic data and the participants' perceptions and satisfaction with their current health status. Part II consisted of the tool being tested. The internal structure was assessed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Convergent validity was evaluated by the correlation of the tool scores with the rates corresponding to self-perception and satisfaction with current health status. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Results: the Confirmatory Factor Analysis confirmed a three-factor solution. The factor loadings were significant and varied from 0.16 to 0.75; the fit indices suggested moderate fit of the model. Internal consistency for all three components varied between 0.779 and 0.919. Conclusion: the findings suggest that the tool is valid and reliable to be used in the Brazilian population, although caution is recommended when interpreting the results due to the moderate fit of the model.

Objetivo: someter a prueba la estructura factorial, confiabilidad y validez convergente del instrumento Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Versión modificada para Brasil. Método: evaluación psicométrica del instrumento Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Versión modificada para Brasil. Setecientos diecisiete participantes respondieron el instrumento de recolección de datos, compuesto por dos partes. La Parte I incluyó un cuestionario estructurado para recopilar datos sociodemográficos y las percepciones y el nivel de satisfacción de los participantes con respecto a su estado de salud actual. La Parte II consistió en la herramienta sometida a prueba. La estructura interna se evaluó empleando Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio. La validez interna se evaluó por medio de la correlación entre las puntuaciones obtenidas en la herramienta y los índices correspondientes a los niveles de autopercepción y satisfacción con respecto al estado de salud actual. La confiabilidad se evaluó utilizando el coeficiente alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: el Análisis Factorial Confirmatorio confirmó una solución con tres factores. Las cargas factoriales fueron significativas y variaron entre 0,16 y 0.75; los índices de ajuste sugirieron ajuste moderado del modelo. La consistencia interna correspondiente a los tres componentes varió entre 0,779 y 0,919. Conclusión: los hallazgos sugieren que la herramienta es válida y confiable para ser usada en la población de Brasil, aunque se recomienda interpretar los resultados con precaución debido al moderado ajuste del modelo.

Objetivo: testar a estrutura fatorial, a confiabilidade e a validade convergente do Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Versão Brasileira Modificada. Método: avaliação psicométrica do Functional Health Pattern Assessment Screening Tool - Versão Brasileira Modificada. Setecentos e dezessete participantes responderam os itens do instrumento de coleta de dados composto por duas partes. A Parte I incluiu um questionário estruturado contendo dados sociodemográficos e a percepção e satisfação dos participantes com seu estado de saúde atual. A Parte II consistiu no instrumento testado. A estrutura interna foi avaliada por meio de Análise Fatorial Confirmatória. A validade convergente foi avaliada pela correlação dos escores do instrumento com os índices correspondentes à autopercepção e à satisfação com o estado de saúde atual. A confiabilidade foi avaliada pelo alfa de Cronbach. Resultados: a Análise Fatorial Confirmatória confirmou uma solução de três fatores. As cargas fatoriais foram significativas e variaram de 0,16 a 0,75; os índices de ajuste sugeriram ajuste moderado do modelo. A consistência interna dos três componentes variou entre 0,779 e 0,919. Conclusión: os achados sugerem que o instrumento é válido e confiável para ser utilizado na população brasileira, embora seja recomendada cautela na interpretação dos resultados devido ao ajuste moderado do modelo.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of nursing interventions in research from Brazilian postgraduation programs.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate research from Brazilian postgraduate students who provide evidence of effectiveness for Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC). METHODS: We conducted a literature review study of thesis and dissertations available in the Brazilian Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses (D/T) in May 2021 regardless of the year they were conducted. In those studies that did not utilize the NIC in the effectiveness evaluation, the cross-mapping methodology was employed between NIC and the interventions used by the authors of the studies. RESULTS: Using a systematic process, we identified 91 studies. Twenty-seven met a priori inclusion and exclusion criteria. We found an increase in studies that focused on nursing interventions in the last 10 years (n = 19), a large proportion of clinical trials (n = 16), and the majority of articles from the Southeast region of Brazil (n = 20). The areas of focus were adult and elderly care, and with a special interest in the behavioral domain (n = 11). Two sensitivity criteria were identified in all D/T (n = 27), and each study presented evidence of effectiveness of a minimum of three criteria simultaneously. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the effectiveness criteria, the Brazilian scientific production in postgraduate programs carried out by nurses provides evidence of the effectiveness for NIC nursing interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: It is recommended to conduct further research that uses the NIC in the planning, conduct, and evaluation of interventions, based on effectiveness criteria of nursing sensitivity.

Stressors in intensive cardiac care units: Patients' perceptions.

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are often admitted to intensive cardiac care units (ICCUs) to have their vital signs and ventricular function monitored. In most cases, they are conscious and bedbound, causing high stress and anxiety levels. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the stressors affecting patients admitted to ICCUs. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study performed in a public hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: A sample of 100 patients with ACS admitted to an ICCU, after 24 hours of hospitalization, was recruited. Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected, and the Intensive Care Unit Stressor Assessment Scale (ICESS) was applied to investigate stressors. The ICESS' internal consistency was estimated by Cronbach's alpha, and the stressors were analysed by descriptive statistics, association tests, and correlation tests. RESULTS: Most patients were male, married, and aged 51 to 60 years. The ICESS showed an excellent internal consistency. The mean score identified in patients pointed to a non-stressed to moderately stressed condition. The indicators considered to be more stressful were as follows: "Not knowing ICU length of stay," "Being unable to fulfil family roles," "Missing husband or wife," and "Loss of self-control." CONCLUSIONS: Stress levels were considered to be non-stressful to moderately stressful. The main stressors were related to psychological distress and physical discomfort dimensions. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Mapping the main stressors of patients with coronary artery disease will allow health professionals to implement strategies to reduce them and consequently reduce their anxiety levels.

Effect of nurse-initiated forced-air warming blanket on the reduction of hypothermia complications following coronary artery bypass grafting: a randomized clinical trial.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of postoperative forced-air warming (FAW) on the incidence of excessive bleeding (ExB), arrhythmia, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and blood product transfusion in hypothermic patients following on-pump CABG and compare temperatures associated with the use of FAW and warming with a sheet and wool blanket. METHODS AND RESULTS: A randomized clinical trial conducted with 200 patients undergoing isolated on-pump CABG from January to November 2018. Patients were randomly assigned into an Intervention Group (IG, FAW, n = 100) and Control Group (CG, sheet and blanket, n = 100). The tympanic temperature of all patients was measured over a 24-h period. ExB was the primary outcome, while arrhythmia, AMI, and blood product transfusion were secondary outcomes. The effect of the interventions on the outcomes was investigated through using bivariate logistic regression, with a level of significance of 5%. The IG was 79% less likely to experience bleeding than the CG [odds ratio (OR) = 0.21, confidence interval (CI) 95% 0.12-0.39, P < 0.001]; the occurrence of AMI in the IG was 94% lower than that experienced by the CG (OR = 0.06, CI 95% 0.01-0.48, P < 0.001); and the IG was also 77% less likely to experience arrhythmia than the CG (OR = 0.23, CI 95% 0.12-0.47, P < 0.001); no difference was found between groups in terms of blood product transfusion (P < 0.279). CONCLUSIONS: These findings show that FAW can be used following CABG until patients reach normothermia to avoid undesirable clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: REBeC RBR-5t582g.

Analysis of the evidence of related factors, associated conditions and at-risk populations of the NANDA-I nursing diagnosis insomnia.

OBJECTIVES: To summarize evidence in the literature on the predictors of insomnia in adults and to determine correspondences with diagnostic indicators of the NANDA-I diagnosis Insomnia. METHODS: An integrative review performed in Pubmed, Virtual Health Library and CINAHL. Forty-eight articles published in Portuguese, English or Spanish from 2011 to 2018 were included. An analysis of correspondence between the predictors and the NANDA-I related factors and associated conditions for Insomnia was performed. RESULTS: There was a correspondence of the predictors found in this review with NANDA-I related factors and associated conditions, except for grieving and frequent naps during the day. Smoking, caffeine intake, dysfunctional sleep beliefs, obesity and caregiver role strain are possible new related factors; chronic illness is a possible new associated condition and individuals going through changes in marital status, economically disadvantaged, female gender, increasing age and night shift worker are possible new at-risk populations. CONCLUSION: The predictors of insomnia that had a correspondence with the NANDA-I elements can support the evidence base of the nursing diagnosis. The predictors found without a correspondence with the diagnosis can be considered for inclusion in the NANDA-I classification, thereby supporting the clinical reasoning of nurses and students.

Ineffective Health Management in People With Heart Failure: A Pilot Study.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a aplicabilidade clínica das definiçõs conceituais e operacionais das características definidoras (CD) e fatores relacionados (FR) de Controle ineficaz da saúde em pessoas com insuficiência cardíaca. MÉTHODS: Estudo piloto transversal. A presença das CD e FRfoi investigada com base nas definiçõses conceituais e operacionais. As frequênciasforam utilizadas para análise. RESULTADOS: Dos 33 participantes, 32 (97%) tinham Controle ineficaz da saúde.A principal CD foi Escolhas na vida diária ineficazes para atingir as meta de saúde, e oprincipal FR foi Impotência CONCLUSÂO: As definições conceituais e operacionais foram aplicáveis à prática clínica, com exceçâo de Benefício percebido, Suscetibilidade percebida e Gravidade da condiçâo percebida, as quais devem ser modificadas.

Self-Care Behaviors in Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVE: To identify self-care behaviors, instruments, techniques, parameters for the assessment of self-care behaviors in people with heart failure, compare these behaviors with the indicators of the Nursing Outcomes Classification outcome, Self Management: Cardiac Disease. METHOD: Integrative literature review performed in Lilacs, Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane, including publications from 2009 to 2015. One thousand six hundred ninety-one articles were retrieved from the search, of which 165 were selected for analysis. RESULTS: Ten self-care behaviors and several different assessment instruments, techniques, and parameters were identified. The addition and removal of some indicators are proposed, based on this review. The data provide substrate for the development of conceptual and operational definitions of the indicators, making the outcome more applicable for use in clinical practice.

Risk factors for decreased cardiac output after coronary artery bypass grafting: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: No previous study has investigated the predictive risk factors of the nursing diagnosis of risk for decreased cardiac output after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). AIMS: This study aimed to identify the predictive risk factors of the nursing diagnosis of risk for decreased cardiac output after CABG. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study performed at a cardiac university hospital in São Paulo, Brazil and 257 adult patients undergoing CABG were included. Potential risk factors for low cardiac output in the immediate post-operative period were investigated using the patients' medical records. Univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to identify the predictive risk factors of decreased cardiac output. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated as a measure of accuracy. The variables that could not be analysed through logistic regression were analysed through Fisher's exact test. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-five patients had low cardiac output in the immediate post-operative period. The predictive risk factors included age ⩾60 years, decreased left ventricle ejection fraction, not using the radial artery graft, positive fluid balance and post-operative arrhythmia that differed from the pre-operative arrhythmia. This model predicted the outcome with a sensitivity of 62.9%, a specificity of 87.2% and an accuracy of 81.5%. The variables analysed through Fisher's exact test included heart failure, re-exploration and bleeding-related re-exploration. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive risk factors for the nursing diagnosis of risk for decreased cardiac output after CABG were found. These results can be used to direct nurses in patient monitoring, staff training and nursing team staffing.

Conceptual and Operational Definitions of the Defining Characteristics and Related Factors of the Diagnosis Ineffective Health Management in People With Heart Failure.

OBJECTIVE: To construct conceptual and operational definitions for the defining characteristics (DCs) and related factors (RFs) of the nursing diagnosis (ND) ineffective health management for people with chronic heart failure. METHOD: Conceptual and operational definitions for the DC and RF were based on studies found in an integrative literature review in the databases Latin American Literature in Health Sciences, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and MEDLINE by using the key words Nursing diagnosis, Heart Failure, and Patient Cooperation in different combinations. RESULTS: Conceptual and operational definitions for all the DCs and RFs were constructed. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The definitions will facilitate in the identification of ND in clinical practice in patients with heart failure, future research on ND validation, and education in undergraduate courses.

Nursing guidance on bed baths to reduce anxiety.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effectiveness of a nursing guidance protocol to reduce the anxiety of patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing bed bath, and the correlation of vital signs with state-anxiety. METHOD: randomized clinical trial study. The sample consisted of 120 patients. The intervention group received a nursing guidance protocol about bed bath and the control group received the unit's routine information. The STAI-State scale was used to assess anxiety, and data were collected at three times: immediately after informing the patients about the bed bath; immediately after interventions; and immediately after the bath. RESULTS: the intervention group presented significantly lower state-anxiety compared to the control group (p<0.001) after the intervention. CONCLUSION: the nursing orientation was effective to reduce anxiety in patients with acute coronary syndrome undergoing bed bath.

Doctoral Theses from Nursing Postgraduate Programs in Brazil and their Association with the Millennium Development Goals.

OBJECTIVES: The Millennium Development Goals are centered around combatting poverty and other social evils all over the world. Thus, this study seeks to identify the Millennium Development Goals as an object of study in theses from Postgraduate Nursing Programs in Brazil scoring 5 (national excellence) and 6 or 7 (international excellence), and evaluate the association between the score for the program and achieving the Millennium Development Goals. METHOD: Exploratory descriptive document research. Data were collected from the Notes on Indicators/Coordination for Higher Education Personnel Improvement for the 15 Postgraduate Nursing Courses scoring between 5 and 7 in the three-year-period of 2010/2012. RESULTS: of the 8 Millennium Development Objectives, 6 were dealt with in the theses. There was an association (Fisher's exact test p-value=0.0059) between the distribution of the theses and the program scores in relation to the Millennium Development Objectives (p-valor=0.0347)CONCLUSION: the doctoral theses were slightly related to the Millennium Development Objectives, covering the population's economic development, health conditions and quality of life. It is recommended that Postgraduate Programs in Nursing pay closer attention to the Millennium Development Objectives.

Clinical usefulness of the definitions for defining characteristics of activity intolerance, excess fluid volume and decreased cardiac output in decompensated heart failure: a descriptive exploratory study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the clinical usefulness of the operational definitions for the defining characteristics of the NANDA International nursing diagnoses, activity intolerance, decreased cardiac output and excess fluid volume, and the concomitant presence of those diagnoses in patients with decompensated heart failure. BACKGROUND: Content validity of the operational definitions for the defining characteristics of activity intolerance, excess fluid volume and decreased cardiac output have been previously validated by experts. Their clinical usefulness requires clinical validation. DESIGN: This was a descriptive exploratory study. METHODS: Two expert nurses independently assessed 25 patients with decompensated heart failure for the presence or absence of 29 defining characteristics. Interrater reliability was analysed using the Kappa coefficient as a measure of clinical usefulness. The Fisher's exact test was used to test the association of the defining characteristics of activity intolerance and excess fluid volume in the presence of decreased cardiac output, and the correlation between the three diagnoses. RESULTS: Assessments regarding the presence of all defining characteristics reached 100% agreement, except with anxiety. Five defining characteristics of excess fluid volume were significantly associated with the presence of decreased cardiac output. Concomitant presence of the three diagnoses occurred in 80% of the patients. However, there was no significant correlation between the three diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: The operational definitions for the diagnoses had strong interrater reliability, therefore they were considered clinically useful. Only five defining characteristics were representative of the association between excess fluid volume and decreased cardiac output. Therefore, excess fluid volume is related to decreased cardiac output, although these diagnoses are not necessarily associated with activity intolerance. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The operational definitions may favour early recognition of the sequence of responses to decompensation, guiding the choice of common interventions to improve or resolve excess fluid volume and decreased cardiac output.

Association of cardiovascular risk factors with the different presentations of acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the relationship between different presentations of acute coronary syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors among hospitalized individuals. METHOD: cross-sectional study performed in a teaching hospital in São Paulo, in the State of São Paulo (SP). Socio-demographic, clinical and anthropometric data of 150 individuals hospitalized due to acute coronary syndrome were collected through interviews and review of clinical charts. Association between these data and the presentation of the syndrome were investigated. RESULTS: there was a predominance of ST segment elevation acute myocardial infarction. There was significant association of systemic hypertension with unstable angina and high values of low density lipoprotein with infarction, without influence from socio-demographic characteristics. CONCLUSION: arterial hypertension and high levels of low-density lipoprotein were associated with different presentations of coronary syndrome. The results can provide support for health professionals for secondary prevention programs aimed at behavioural changing.

[Adherence of hypertensive patients to drug treatment]. / Adesão de pacientes hipertensos ao tratamento medicamentoso.

This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted in a center of Hypertension and Metabolism, which aimed to identify adherence to drug therapy in hypertensive patients, and to identify the factors, directly related to the patient, associated with this adherence. The sample consisted of 77 patients and the instrument used to verify patient compliance was the Measure of Adherence to Treatment and a semi-structured questionnaire consisting of factors for non-adherence to drug treatment. The results showed adherence of 87% of hypertensive patients. Factors directly related to the patient, which were associated with the adherence, were: the place of origin; patients' self-assessment of blood pressure levels; willingness to abandon treatment and patient acceptance of the disease.

[Embracement and anxiety symptoms in patients before cardiac surgery]. / Acolhimento e sintomas de ansiedade em pacientes no pré-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca.

This is a randomized clinical trial, aimed to compare the frequency and intensity of symptoms of anxiety in patients of preoperative cardiac surgery who received empathic behavior from nurse or family or those who received no specific type of empathic behavior. The sample consisted of 66 patients in preoperative of cardiac surgery, which were divided in three groups: empathic behavior by nurses, without specific empathic behavior and by family. Anxiety was assessed at two points in time: before and after the intervention. The instrument used was developed and validated by Suriano, comprising 19 defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis anxiety. It was observed that the reduction of anxiety symptoms was higher in the group receiving empathic behavior of relatives when compared to the other two groups. The results suggested that encouraging the participation of family members can contribute to the reduction of anxiety symptoms in patients in preoperative cardiac surgery.

Construction and validation of an instrument for assessment of the nursing diagnosis, risk for infection, in patients following cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE: To construct and validate a data collection instrument (DCI), and a corresponding instructional guide, for assessment of the nursing diagnosis, risk for infection, in patients following cardiac surgery. METHODS: Construction of conceptual and operational definitions for risk factors based on literature, content validation by experts, and clinical validation by clinical nurses. FINDINGS: There were significant internal consistency and reproducibility in the content validation. In the clinical validation, agreement among nurses was higher than 70% for all risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: The DCI was constructed and validated. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This DCI could be used for assessment of adult patients after cardiac surgeries worldwide because of its detailed cues for risk factors, which facilitate clinical reasoning and diagnostic judgment.

[Classification of the CNPq areas of knowledge and the nursing field: possibilities and limits]. / Classificação das áreas de conhecimento do CNPq e o campo da Enfermagem: possibilidades e limites.

Knowledge areas have been discussed by Science and Technology managers and administrators and by the scientific community searching for tools to support data systematization, mainly for management and administrative activities. The main table in use by CNPq is admittedly outdated and requires revision or reclassification. The aim of this article is to contribute to the current debate based on previous results from participation in a table review study performed in the 1990 s and on research results in the area of knowledge organization and representation in the context of Information Science. It presents a proposal to reformulate the Nursing Knowledge Area and some reflections about the possibilities of this ongoing process.

Validation of the concept risk for decreased cardiac output.

OBJECTIVES: to validate the concept "risk for decreased cardiac output". METHOD: Six of the eight steps suggested in the technique developed by Walker & Avant were adopted to analyze the concept of the phenomenon under study and the proposal made by Hoskins was used for content validation, taking into account agreement achieved among five experts. RESULTS: the concept "decreased cardiac output" was found in the nursing and medical fields and refers to the heart's pumping capacity while the concept "risk" is found in a large number of disciplines. In regard to the defining attributes, "impaired pumping capacity" was the main attribute of decreased cardiac output and "probability" was the main attribute of risk. The uses and defining attributes of the concepts "decreased cardiac output" and "risk" were analyzed as well as their antecedent and consequent events in order to establish the definition of "risk for decreased cardiac output", which was validated by 100% of the experts. CONCLUSION: The obtained data indicate that the risk for decreased cardiac output phenomenon can be a nursing diagnosis and refining it can contribute to the advancement of nursing classifications in this context.