Content validity of ineffective airway clearance clinical indicators

Objective  To identify the most relevant clinical indicators for the Ineffective airway clearance Nursing Diagnosis.

Method  This is a methodological study of content analysis organized into a conceptual definition of the phenomenon of interest, construction of the phenomenon of interest structure and analysis by judges on the constructed structure.

Results  Twenty-one clinical indicators were identified. Only Increased breath sounds and Subcostal retraction were not significantly relevant for the diagnosis.

Conclusion  The most relevant indicators for the Ineffective airway clearance diagnosis were: Dyspnea, Alteration in respiratory rate, Adventitious respiratory noises, Tachypnea, Excessive sputum, Ineffective cough, Decreased breathing sounds, Orthopnea, Cyanosis, Restlessness, Difficulty verbalizing and Use of accessory muscles to breathe.

Nursing diagnosis; Validation study; Respiratory system; Signs and symptoms, respiratory; Airway obstruction