Conceptual validation of the defining characteristics of respiratory nursing diagnoses in neonates/Validação conceitual das características definidoras de diagnósticos de enfermagem respiratórios em neonatos

The objective of this study was to develop and validate conceptual and operational definitions for the defining characteristics of the respiratory nursing diagnoses, ineffective breathing pattern, impaired gas exchange and impaired spontaneous ventilation, in newborns. This was a methodological study of conceptual validation of the defining characteristics of three respiratory nursing diagnoses, by consensus analysis of a committee of five specialist nurses, and then a group of five non-nursing professionals, using the Delphi technique. After two rounds of evaluation, consensus was obtained that was equal to or greater than 80% on all of the definitions, which were then considered validated. The definitions developed for the defining characteristics of three nursing diagnoses were validated with a high level of consensus.