Nursing diagnosis of activity intolerance: clinical validation in patients with refractory angina.

PURPOSE The study aims to clinically validate the defining characteristics (DCs) of the nursing diagnosis (ND) of Activity Intolerance for patients with ischemic heart disease and refractory angina. METHODS Cross-sectional study was used, involving 22 patients with ND of Activity Intolerance. The Fehring method was used to validate the ND. FINDINGS Most DCs presented reliability indexes between 0.5 and 0.79. Three DCs presented reliability indexes ≥ 0.8. CONCLUSION All DCs were validated, and electrocardiographic changes indicating ischemia, verbal report of fatigue, and abnormal rate response to activity were considered as DC major. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE This study is relevant in daily nursing practice for guidance in establishing the care plan and describing the assistance for this group of patients.