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Introduction: Cancer patients are exposed to several types of treatments, including chemotherapy. In this context, patients experience several nursing diagnoses, including spiritual distress. The definition of the diagnosis of spiritual distress is grounded in lack of meaning and purpose in life, a sense of suffering, and a feeling of disconnected. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, sensitivity, specificity, and predictors of the nursing diagnosis of spiritual distress of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Designs The study used a longitudinal questionnaire design with quarterly data collection points over a 12‐month period. Participants were recruited through random sampling, in an outpatients' setting in one oncology day unit in Portugal. Findings The highest prevalence of spiritual distress was found at 3 months after patients started chemotherapy. The highest value of specificity was lack of meaning in life and express suffering, and the highest values of sensitivity concerned spiritual distress diagnosis. The predictors of spiritual distress were express suffering, alienation, questioning meaning in life, lack of serenity, questioning the meaning of suffering, hopelessness, and lack of meaning in life. Conclusions: Spiritual distress is a human response that is current in patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the highest prevalence seems to occur at 3 months after commencing chemotherapy. Express suffering and lack of meaning in life play the role not only of defining characteristics (DC) in this study, but also of predictors in the diagnosis of spiritual distress. Clinical Relevance: The identification of the prevalence, predictors, sensitivity, and specificity of the DC of the nursing diagnosis of spiritual distress in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy may facilitate nurses' clinical reasoning and improve the planning of nursing care in clinical practice in order to improve spiritual well‐being in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the accuracy of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis of sexual dysfunction in women undergoing pharmacological treatment for breast cancer. Methods: A cross‐sectional accuracy study with statistical analysis. Findings: Alteration in sexual satisfaction was the defining characteristic with the highest sensitivity value, while perceived sexual limitation was the defining characteristic with the highest value for both sensitivity and specificity. Conclusions: Perceived sexual limitation is a good clinical indicator to infer initial stages of sexual dysfunction and to confirm its presence. Implications For Nursing Practice: Accurate diagnostics allow devising an action plan directed to the patients' real needs, helping prescribe and deliver the appropriate nursing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of the study consisted in content validation of the defining characteristics, and related factors of the nursing diagnosis of Deficient fluid volume [Dehydration] (00027), from the perspective of neonatal nurses. Design: Content validation study. Methods: The defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis of Deficient fluid volume [Dehydration] (00027) were evaluated with the help of the Fehring Diagnostic Content Validity Model. The set consisted of 125 experts/nurses. The significance of the defining characteristics was rated by the nurses on a Likert scale from 1 to 5. Data collection was carried out from March to September 2016. Results: seven characteristics from 32 were designated primary defining characteristics by the experts: decreased urine output, sunken fontanelle, change in skin turgor, dry mucous membranes, increased urine concentration, elevated haematocrit, and general appearance of exhaustion. 25 characteristics were designated secondary defining characteristics; 12 of which were characteristics from NANDA–I. Items such as: constipation, decreased pulse volume, cramps, absence of tears, and abdominal distension achieved a weighted score under 0.50. All from the group of related factors were defined as secondary by the experts. Conclusion: The set of experts regarded the primary significant characteristics for the determination of the nursing diagnosis of Deficient fluid volume [Dehydration] in newborns to consist in seven defining characteristics. All related factors were regarded to be secondary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The main purpose of the study was to validate the defining characteristics and related factors of the nursing diagnosis 'chronic pain' in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Methods This is a descriptive study. The validation process involved was based on Fehring's Diagnostic Content Validity Model. Findings Three defining characteristics (reports pain, altered ability to continue previous activities, and depression) were classified as major by Slovak nurses, and one defining characteristic (reports pain) was classified as major by Czech nurses. Conclusion The results of the study provide guidance in devising strategies of pain assessment and can aid in the formulation of accurate nursing diagnoses. Implications for Nursing Practice The defining characteristic 'reports pain' is important for arriving at the nursing diagnosis 'chronic pain.' [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]