Content analysis of the nursing diagnosis of ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with diabetic foot

Abstract Aim To analyse the content of the nursing diagnosis ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in patients with diabetic foot. Design A methodological study with a quantitative approach was performed. Methods The analysis was performed between January and May 2021 by 34 nurses with clinical/theoretical/research experience with diabetes or nursing diagnoses. These nurses evaluated the relevance, clarity and precision of 12 diagnosis‐specific etiological factors, 22 clinical indicators and their conceptual and operational definitions. Findings All 12 etiological factors analysed were considered relevant to diagnostic identification. However, five showed inconsistencies regarding the clarity or precision of the operational definitions, requiring adjustments. Regarding the 22 clinical indicators evaluated, all of them presented a Content Validity Index (CVI) that was statistically significant. However, in the indicators, the colour does not return to lowered limb after 1 min of leg elevation, and cold foot had Content Validity Index (CVI) <0.9 regarding relevance and accuracy of operational definitions. Conclusions Twelve etiological factors and 22 clinical indicators were validated. Thus, this study revealed new and relevant aspects characterising peripheral perfusion in patients with diabetic foot that have not yet been clinically validated. Implications for Nursing Practice This study contributes to support the professional practice of nurses through the early identification of etiological factors and clinical indicators in persons with diabetic foot. As a proposal, we suggest the inclusion of new defining characteristics and related factors for the nursing diagnosis ineffective peripheral tissue perfusion in the NANDA‐I taxonomy. Impact The research highlights new and relevant aspects such as etiological factors and clinical indicators to characterise peripheral perfusion in patients with diabetic foot. Based on these findings, clinical validation is recommended to confirm the relevance of the proposed elements in the population studied for greater reliability and improved diagnostic assessment for the professional practice of nurses. Reporting Method EQUATOR guidelines were adhered to using the GRRAS checklist for reporting reliability and agreement studies. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.