Conceptual and operational definitions for the indicators of the nursing outcome classification: Symptom control in patients with heart failure in palliative care

To validate conceptual and operational definitions of Symptom control (1608) indicators for patients with cardiac diseases in palliative care. Definitions were established through a literature review and were validated by consensus among expert nurses. Two rounds of the Delphi method and a meeting with experts were carried out in order to validate the definitions for the indicators and for the magnitude of response for each indicator. Conceptual and operational definitions for Symptom control (1608) indicators and for the magnitude of response for each indicator were validated. All conceptual and operational definitions of 11 indicators of the nursing outcome Symptom control (1608) were validated by experts. Content and clinical validation studies remain necessary to verify the capacity of the indicators to measure the effectiveness of nursing interventions in clinical practice and research.