Accuracy of Defining Characteristics for Nursing Diagnoses Related to Patients with Respiratory Deterioration.

PURPOSE: To evaluate accuracy of defining characteristics (DCs) for impaired gas exchange (IGE), impaired spontaneous ventilation (ISV), and ineffective breathing pattern (IBP) in respiratory deterioration. METHODS: This study is a retrospective analysis of medical records. The accuracy and predictive ability of DC or of clusters are calculated. FINDINGS: In this study, 391 records were evaluated. For IGE, DCs or clusters with higher efficiency were "hypercapnia" (78%), "somnolence" (74.4%), and "hypercapnia + tachycardia" (88%); for ISV, the cluster with higher efficiency was "increased heart rate ± decrease in cooperation" (70.1%); and for IBP, no DC or cluster exceeded 70% efficiency. These were confirmed by logistic regression. CONCLUSION: Few DCs had adequate efficiency for respiratory nursing diagnoses, while in some cases clusters accounted for higher efficiency. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Clusters of DC may be relevant for respiratory diagnoses.

Evolução clínica dos indicadores de resultados de enfermagem em pacientes com padrão respiratório ineficaz / Clinical evolution of nursing outcome indicators in patients with ineffective breathing pattern

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a evolução clínica dos indicadores de resultados de enfermagem em pacientes com Padrão Respiratório Ineficaz, através da Nursing Outcomes Classification. Trata-se de estudo longitudinal prospectivo realizado em hospital universitário, com 25 pacientes com doenças pulmonares, que foram acompanhados durante um período de três dias ou até alta hospitalar. Os indicadores dos resultados de enfermagem Estado Respiratório, Nível de Fadiga e Nível de Ansiedade foram avaliados utilizando técnicas propedêuticas de avaliação respiratória e escala Likert de cinco pontos, conforme a Nursing Outcomes Classification. Quando agrupadas as médias de todos os indicadores, observou-se evolução de melhora significativa na média (p<0,001), na comparação entre a primeira e última avaliação, destacando-se Tosse (p=0,017) e Ansiedade verbalizada (p=0,013). A Dispneia obteve melhora estatisticamente significativa (p=0,017) na avaliação diária. Observou-se que a Nursing Outcomes Classification possibilita mensurar a evolução clínica dos resultados dos pacientes, bem como o grau de comprometimento do padrão respiratório.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical evolution of nursing outcome indicators in patients with Ineffective Breathing Pattern, through the Nursing Outcomes Classification. This is a prospective longitudinal study carried out in a university hospital, with 25 patients with lung diseases who were followed-up with for three days or until hospital discharge. The nursing outcome indicators Respiratory Status, Fatigue Level and Anxiety Level were assessed using propaedeutic techniques of respiratory assessment and a five-point Likert scale, according to the Nursing Outcomes Classification. When the averages of all indicators were grouped, there was a significant improvement in the mean (p<0.001), in the comparison between the first and last assessment, with emphasis on Coughing (p=0.017) and Verbalized anxiety (p=0.013). Dyspnea showed a statistically significant improvement (p=0.017) in the daily assessment. It was observed that the Nursing Outcomes Classification makes it possible to measure the clinical evolution of patients' results, as well as the degree of impairment of the respiratory pattern.

Frequency of Respiratory Nursing Diagnoses and Accuracy of Clinical Indicators in Preterm Infants.

PURPOSE: To identify the frequency of the nursing diagnoses, ineffective breathing pattern, impaired gas exchange and impaired spontaneous ventilation in newborns; and, to analyze the accuracy of diagnostic indicators identified for each of these diagnoses. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted with a nonprobability sample of 92 infants. Data collected were represented by demographic and clinical variables, clinical indicators of the three respiratory nursing diagnoses from NANDA International, and were analyzed according to frequency and agreement between pairs of expert nurses (Kappa). FINDINGS: Ineffective breathing pattern was identified in 74.5% of infants; impaired gas exchange was noted in 31.5%; impaired spontaneous ventilation was found in 16.8% of subjects. Use of accessory muscles to breathe showed the highest sensitivity for ineffective breathing pattern; abnormal blood gases had the best predictive value for impaired gas exchange. Use of accessory muscles to breathe had the highest sensitivity for impaired spontaneous ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Ineffective breathing pattern was the most frequently identified; use of accessory muscles, alteration in depth of breathing, abnormal breathing, and dyspnea were the most representative signs/symptoms. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Early recognition of respiratory conditions can support safe interventions to ensure appropriate outcomes.

Measurement of respiratory rate by multiple raters in a clinical setting is unreliable: A cross-sectional simulation study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the inter-observer reliability of nurses assessing respiratory rate. METHODS: We presented seven minimum 60-seconds long videos of thoraces of non-identifiable patients breathing to experienced nurses from several Danish emergency departments. Two videos were assessed by 50 raters while five were reviewed by eight. The videos were shown using an online system that also recorded the counted respiratory rate. RESULTS: A total of 140 nurses participated with a median of 15years' experience. The range of counted respiratory rate was minimum 10 on each video. For videos evaluated by eight nurses, average Inter Class Coefficient (ICC) was 0.662 (0.000-0.960) and individual ICC 0.197 (0.000-0.750). For the two case-videos analyzed by 50 nurses, average ICC was 0.0 (0.000-0.991) and individual ICC 0.0 (0.000-0.677). CONCLUSIONS: We found a wide variation in measurements of RR with both few and many observers assessing exactly the same patients.

Clinical factors influencing death rattle breathing in palliative care cancer patients : Non-interventional study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In the last days of life the clinical symptom of death rattle breathing is manifested in many awake or semiconscious patients in palliative care. Scientific studies on relevant influencing factors on the characteristics of the clinical symptom of death rattle breathing in patients in palliative care are rare. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The design of the study is based on a non-interventional prospective study with questionnaire evaluation and was implemented at the palliative care unit at the Center for Interdisciplinary Pain Therapy, Oncology and Palliative Care at the Clinical Center Klagenfurt, Austria. The questionnaire was developed by the authors of this study. RESULTS: The study had a predefined duration of 10 months (from February to November 2012) and during this period a total of 273 patients were admitted to the palliative care unit of the Clinical Center in Klagenfurt. Of these 105 (38.5 %) died and could therefore be included in the evaluation but 3 patients in palliative care (2.9 %) did not fulfil the inclusion criteria of a malignant disease. In total 102 patients, 43 females (42.2 %) and 59 males (57.9 %) were evaluated. The average age was 69 years with a range of 41-92 years. The largest proportion of the random sample (62.8 %) was in the patient age group from 61 to 80 years old and death rattle breathing could be observed in 26 patients (25.3 %) of the total sample. In a specific subgroup analysis regarding the intensity of the symptom, many of the affected patients suffered noisy breathing or severe death rattle breathing. In these cases it was primarily women in the group of patients with death rattle breathing. Gender was found to be a statistically relevant influencing factor (p = 0.034) on the intensity of the symptom. CONCLUSION: The great majority of the variables studied showed no influence on the development of the symptom of death rattle breathing; however, more intensive forms were manifested in female patients. The small study population could be a limitation of the present study although the prospective design allows valid conclusions to be drawn. In the future studies should be implemented in order to improve treatment of patients suffering from death rattle breathing.

Respiratory Nursing Diagnoses: Presenting Evidence for Identification of the Defining Characteristics in Neonatal and Pediatric Populations.

PURPOSE: To identify and summarize clinical data supporting selection of nursing diagnoses related to the respiratory system for pediatric and neonatal populations. METHOD: A literature review conducted in indexed publications was used. FINDINGS: The final sample consisted of 13 studies conducted in children with cardiac disease, respiratory infection, and asthma with nursing diagnoses such as ineffective breathing pattern, impaired gas exchange, and ineffective airway clearance. CONCLUSION: The higher frequency defining characteristics were dyspnea, abnormal breathing pattern, use of accessory muscle to breathe, change in frequency and respiratory rate, decreased SaO2 , and agitation. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING KNOWLEDGE: This literature review may provide a basis for consideration of important diagnostic criteria in the pediatric population; however, clinical validation in different stages of development is critical for ensuring diagnostic accuracy.

Snoring, Trouble Breathing, Un-Refreshed (STBUR) Screening Questionnaire to Reduce Perioperative Respiratory Adverse Events in Pediatric Surgical Patients: A Quality Improvement Project.

Children who present for surgery with undiagnosed sleep-disordered breathing are particularly vulnerable to perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRA Es). Preoperative screening can identify children at increased risk who would benefit from evidence-based perioperative management, reducing serious preventable harm or death. The purpose of this quality improvement study was 2-fold: (1) increase identification of pediatric surgical patients who may be at increased risk of PRAE through the introduction of a validated pediatric screening questionnaire (Snoring, Trouble Breathing, Un-Refreshed [STBUR]), and (2) reduce preventable harm by introducing evidence-based perioperative management guidelines. A pre-post intervention design was conducted in 6,216 patients aged 1 to 18 years. The STBUR questionnaire embedded in the electronic medical record was the primary intervention. Data for the primary outcome measure and 3 secondary process measures were analyzed using Yatesχ2 and Fisher exact test to compare proportional change. After STBUR implementation, PRAE risk identification increased from 10.5% to 15% (χ2 (1, N = 12,975) = 57.19, z = -7.59, P < .001, odds ratio =1.49). Results of the secondary process measures were mixed. The STBUR screening questions embedded in the medical record significantly improved identification of patients at risk, allowing modification of perioperative management toward safer practices.

Ineffective breathing pattern in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease: accuracy of defining characteristics.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of ineffective breathing pattern and the accuracy of its defining characteristics, among children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. BACKGROUND: The NANDA International nursing diagnosis, ineffective breathing pattern, has been noted to have high prevalence in different clinical contexts and age groups. Despite that, nurses continue to report difficulties in confirming this diagnosis. The lack of data regarding the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of the defining characteristics contribute to decreased certainty in diagnosing ineffective breathing pattern. DESIGN: A diagnostic accuracy study. METHODS: This study of diagnostic accuracy was conducted with 61 children and adolescents with congenital heart disease. Two nurses were trained by the primary investigator on use of defining characteristics in the diagnostic process for ineffective breathing pattern. RESULTS: Ineffective breathing pattern was present in 26·2% of the children and adolescents sampled. When analysing the defining characteristics, alterations in depth of breathing, showed high values of sensitivity and specificity. In addition, orthopnoea, tachypnoea and use of accessory muscles to breathe, showed high values of specificity; dyspnoea showed high values of sensitivity. Finally, assumption of three-point position, bradypnoea and increased anterior-posterior diameter were not found to be statistically significant for this sample population. CONCLUSION: Five defining characteristics of ineffective breathing pattern presented measures of accuracy with statistically significant values in children with congenital heart disease. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings can help nurses during the diagnostic process, as they identify which defining characteristics can be used to confirm or rule out the probability of occurrence of the diagnosis.

Resultados de enfermagem para padrão respiratório ineficaz e ventilação espontânea prejudicada em terapia intensiva / Nursing outcomes for ineffective breathing patterns and impaired spontaneous ventilation in intensive care / Resultados de enfermería para estándar respiratorio ineficaz y ventilación espontánea con discapacidad en cuidados intensivos

Este estudo objetivou validar os resultados de enfermagem selecionados a partir da ligação NOC-NANDA-I (Nursing Outcomes Classification - North American Nursing Diagnosis Association - International) para os diagnósticos Padrão Respiratório Ineficaz e Ventilação Espontânea Prejudicada em unidade de terapia intensiva. Estudo de validação de conteúdo, realizado em hospital universitário brasileiro, com 15 enfermeiros com experiência clínica e conhecimento das classificações. Os instrumentos continham escalas Likert de cinco pontos para atribuição do julgamento quanto à importância de cada resultado (1ª etapa) e indicador (2ª etapa) aos diagnósticos. Calcularam-se as médias ponderadas considerando: 1= 0; 2 = 0,25; 3 = 0,50; 4 = 0,75 e 5 = 1. Os Resultados sugeridos pela NOC com médias superiores a 0,8 foram considerados validados, assim como os indicadores. Validaram-se os resultados Estado Respiratório - permeabilidade das vias aéreas (Padrão Respiratório Ineficaz) e 11 indicadores, e Resposta à ventilação mecânica: adulto (Ventilação Espontânea Prejudicada), com 26 indicadores.

This study aimed to validate the results of Nursing selected from the link NANDA-I-NOC (Nursing Outcomes Classification - NANDA - International) for diagnosis Ineffective Breathing Pattern and Impaired Spontaneous Ventilation in adult intensive care unit. This is a content validation study conducted in a university hospital in southern Brazil, with 15 expert nurses with clinical experience and knowledge of the ratings. The instruments contained five-point Likert scales to rate the importance of each outcome (1st step) and indicator (Step 2) for the diagnoses studied. We calculated weighted averages for each outcome / indicator, considering: 1 = 0. 2 = 0.25, 3 = 0.50, 4 = 0.75 and 5 = 1. The outcomes suggested by the NOC with averages above 0.8 were considered validated, as well as the indicators. The results Respiratory State - airway permeability (Ineffective Breathing Patterns) and 11 indicators, and Response to mechanical ventilation: adult (Impaired Spontaneous Ventilation) with 26 indicators were validated.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo validar los resultados de enfermería seleccionados en el enlace de NOC-NANDA-I (Nursing Outcomes Classification - NANDA -International) para los diagnósticos Estándar Respiratorio Ineficaz y Ventilación Espontanea con Discapacidad en la unidad de cuidados intensivos para adultos. Este es un estudio de validación de contenido realizado en un hospital universitario en el sur de Brasil, con 15 enfermeros expertos con experiencia clínica y el conocimiento de las votaciones. Los instrumentos contenían escalas Likert de cinco puntos para el premio de juicio en cuanto a la importancia de cada resultado (Paso 1) y el indicador (Paso 2) de los diagnósticos estudiados. Se calcularon promedios ponderados para cada resultado / indicadores, teniendo en cuenta: 1 = 0, 2 = 0,25, 3 = 0,50, 0,75 y 4 = 5 = 1. Los resultados sugieren la Nursing Outcomes Classification con promedios por encima de 0,8 se considera validado, así como indicadores. Validado el resultado Respiratorio Estado - permeabilidad vía aérea (Estándar Respiratorio Ineficaz) y 11 indicadores, y la Respuesta a la ventilación mecánica: Adulto (Ventilación Espontánea con Discapacidad) con 26 indicadores.

[Nursing outcomes for ineffective breathing patterns and impaired spontaneous ventilation in intensive care]. / Resultados de enfermagem para padrão respiratório ineficaz e ventilação espontånea prejudicada em terapia intensiva.

This study aimed to validate the results of Nursing selected from the link NANDA-I-NOC (Nursing Outcomes Classification--NANDA--International) for diagnosis Ineffective Breathing Pattern and Impaired Spontaneous Ventilation in adult intensive care unit. This is a content validation study conducted in a university hospital in southern Brazil with 15 expert nurses with clinical experience and knowledge of the ratings. The instruments contained five-point Likert scales to rate the importance of each outcome (1st step) and indicator (Step 2) for the diagnoses studied. We calculated weighted averages for each outcome/indicator, considering) 1 = 0. 2 = 0.25, 3 = 0.50 4 = 0.75 and 5 = 1. The outcomes suggested by the NOC with averages above 0.8 were considered validated as well as the indicators. The results Respiratory State--airway permeability (Ineffective Breathing Patterns) and 11 indicators, and Response to mechanical ventilation: adult (Impaired Spontaneous Ventilation) with 26 indicators were validated.

Non-invasive interventions for improving well-being and quality of life in patients with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: This is an updated version of the original review published in Issue 4, 2004 of The Cochrane Library. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death globally. Despite advances in treatment, the outlook for the majority of patients remains grim and most face a pessimistic future accompanied by sometimes devastating effects on emotional and psychological health. Although chemotherapy is accepted as an effective treatment for advanced lung cancer, the high prevalence of treatment-related side effects as well the symptoms of disease progression highlight the need for high-quality palliative and supportive care to minimise symptom distress and to promote quality of life. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of non-invasive interventions delivered by healthcare professionals in improving symptoms, psychological functioning and quality of life in patients with lung cancer. SEARCH STRATEGY: We ran a search in February 2011 to update the original completed review. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 2), MEDLINE (accessed through PubMed), EMBASE, PsycINFO, AMED, British Nursing Index and Archive (accessed through Ovid) and reference lists of relevant articles; we also contacted authors. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials assessing the effects of non-invasive interventions in improving well-being and quality of life in patients diagnosed with lung cancer. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed relevant studies for inclusion. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment of relevant studies was performed by one author and checked by a second author. MAIN RESULTS: Fifteen trials were included, six of which were added in this update. Three trials of a nursing intervention to manage breathlessness showed benefit in terms of symptom experience, performance status and emotional functioning. Four trials assessed structured nursing programmes and found positive effects on delay in clinical deterioration, dependency and symptom distress, and improvements in emotional functioning and satisfaction with care.Three trials assessed the effect of different psychotherapeutic, psychosocial and educational interventions in patients with lung cancer. One trial assessing counselling showed benefit for some emotional components of the illness but findings were not conclusive. One trial examined the effects of coaching sensory self monitoring and reporting on pain-related variables and found that although coaching increases the amount of pain data communicated to providers by patients with lung cancer, the magnitude of the effect is small and does not lead to improved efficacy of analgesics prescribed for each patient's pain level. One trial compared telephone-based sessions of either caregiver-assisted coping skills training (CST) or education/support involving the caregiver and found that patients in both treatment conditions showed improvements in pain, depression, quality of life and self efficacy.Two trials assessed exercise programmes; one found a beneficial effect on self empowerment and the other study showed an increase in quadriceps strength but no significant changes for any measure of quality of life. One trial of nutritional interventions found positive effects for increasing energy intake, but no improvement in quality of life. Two small trials of reflexology showed some positive but short-lasting effects on anxiety and pain intensity.The main limitations of the studies included were the variability of the interventions assessed and the approaches to measuring the considered outcomes, and the lack of data reported in the trials regarding allocation of patients to treatment groups and blinding. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Nurse follow-up programmes and interventions to manage breathlessness may produce beneficial effects. Counselling may help patients cope more effectively with emotional symptoms, but the evidence is not conclusive. Other psychotherapeutic, psychosocial and educational interventions can play some role in improving patients' quality of life. Exercise programmes and nutritional interventions have not shown relevant and lasting improvements of quality of life. Reflexology may have some beneficial effects in the short term.

[Publications in respiratory nursing and physiotherapy]. / Publicaciones de enfermería y fisioterapia respiratoria.

The Respiratory Nursing and Physiotherapy Section of the Spanish Society of Pneumology and Thoracic Surgery, established as a working group more than 19 years ago, has been characterized by a high degree of involvement and collaboration with all the research studies requiring nursing and physiotherapy techniques. However, publication of articles by this collective is scarce compared with that of the rest of the Society and the characteristics, attitudes and limitations of this section pose an obstacle to increasing the number of its publications. This article aims to explain some of the possible reasons that could have given rise to this situation. The new tendencies and the attitude of this collective and the rest of the Society are encouraging and suggest that the work of the Respiratory Nursing and Physiotherapy Section will be better reflected in the future.

How to ensure patient observations lead to prompt identification of tachypnoea.

Tachypnoea is one of the first signs of patient deterioration and accurate measurement of respiratory rate is a fundamental part of assessment. This article aims to describe the assessment and management of tachypnoea.

Oxygen delivery to patients after cardiac surgery: a medical record audit.

OBJECTIVE: To describe how intensive care nurses manage the administration of supplemental oxygen to patients during the first 24 hours after cardiac surgery. METHODS: A retrospective audit was conducted of the medical records of 245 adult patients who underwent cardiac surgery between 1 January 2005 and 31 May 2008 in an Australian metropolitan hospital. Physiological data (oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry and respiratory rate) and intensive care unit management data (oxygen delivery device, oxygen flow rate and duration of mechanical ventilation) were collected at hourly intervals over the first 24 hours of ICU care. RESULTS: Of the 245 patients whose records were audited, 185 were male; mean age was 70 years (SD, 10), and mean APACHE II score was 17.5 (SD, 5.14). Almost half the patients (122, 49.8%) were extubated within 8 hours of ICU admission. The most common oxygen delivery device used immediately after extubation was the simple face mask (214 patients, 87%). Following extubation, patients received supplemental oxygen via, on average, two different delivery devices (range, 1-3), and had the delivery device changed an average of 1.38 times (range, 0-6) during the 24 hours studied. Twenty-two patients (9%) received non-invasive ventilation or high-flow oxygen therapy, and 16 (7%) experienced one or more episode of hypoxaemia during mechanical ventilation. A total of 148 patients (60%) experienced one or more episodes of low oxygenation or abnormal respiratory rate during the first 24 hours of ICU care despite receiving supplemental oxygen. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the ICU environment does not protect cardiac surgical patients from suboptimal oxygen delivery, and highlights the need for strategies to prompt the early initiation of interventions aimed at optimising blood oxygen levels in cardiac surgical patients in the ICU.

Experiences of breathlessness: a systematic review of the qualitative literature.

OBJECTIVE: Breathlessness is one of the core symptoms in many advanced conditions. The subjective nature of the symptom has been acknowledged in many definitions, emphasizing that it can only be fully perceived and interpreted by the patients themselves. AIM: To review and assess the evidence on the psychosocial nature or experience of breathlessness. METHODS: Relevant literature was identified through electronic and hand searches. Studies with qualitative enquiry or mixed method designs were included. The methodological quality of studies was assessed with a standard grading scale. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies were identified, 12 from the United Kingdom, 4 from the United States, 3 from Canada, 1 from Sweden, 1 from Iceland, and 1 from Finland. The nature of the studies determined the themes in which the studies were subsumed. Studies on COPD (19) outnumbered "all other conditions" (3), one of which had COPD and cancer patients and so these were analyzed separately. Within the COPD category most studies (17) considered the experience of breathlessness from the perspective of the patient, 1 study from the informal carer, and 1 from the professional carer. Most of the papers sought to understand the meaning of the symptom in the patient's daily life. The other papers demarcated separate areas of the experience of acute exacerbations and the patient's view on care. The studies explored the subjective component of breathlessness, as part of human experience and social life. The papers showed the influence of the meaning the symptom has for those affected on their ability to cope and on their management. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Although the work in this area is still dominated by research on COPD, the totality of the evidence now shows breathlessness as an intractable symptom in other advanced conditions. Practice recommendations focused on the holistic approach as part of palliative and nursing care.