THE MOST USED NURSING DIAGNOSES AT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE

The objective was to identify the main nursing diagnoses used by experts in the emergency area. A descriptive study was undertaken at an emergency service between June and November 2011. The Delphi technique was used to reach a consensus among seven professionals from different Brazilian institutions about the prevailing nursing diagnoses at emergency care services. A consensus was reached on the following nursing diagnoses: Impaired gas exchange, Ineffective breathing pattern, Impaired spontaneous ventilation, Risk for infection, Risk for impaired skin integrity, Impaired tissue integrity and Risk for falls. In conclusion, the Delphi technique showed to be a great facilitator to reach a consensus about the prevailing nursing diagnoses at emergency care services related to the “safety and protection”, “activity and rest” and “elimination and exchange” domains of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association.