Ineffective breathing pattern : defining characteristics in children with acute respiratory infection

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of NANDA-I defining characteristics for the nursing diagnosis, ineffective breathing pattern, in children with acute respiratory infection. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study in 136 children. Measures of accuracy were calculated for the defining characteristics. FINDINGS: Use of accessory muscles to breathe presented the best measure of accuracy. Alterations in depth of breathing presented a high value of sensitivity. Altered chest excursion and orthopnea presented high values of specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Use of accessory muscles to breathe showed the best predictive capacity for ineffective breathing pattern. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Measures of accuracy can contribute to an accurate diagnostic inference process, improving patient assessment and facilitating rapid, accurate diagnosis.