Ineffective Breathing Pattern: Defining Characteristics in Children With Acute Respiratory Infection

Abstract

To determine the accuracy of NANDA-I defining characteristics for the nursing diagnosis, ineffective breathing pattern, in children with acute respiratory infection. This was a prospective cohort study in 136 children. Measures of accuracy were calculated for the defining characteristics. 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. Use of accessory muscles to breathe showed the best predictive capacity for ineffective breathing pattern. Measures of accuracy can contribute to an accurate diagnostic inference process, improving patient assessment and facilitating rapid, accurate diagnosis.