Specific causal validation of nursing diagnosis Risk for thrombosis: A case–control study

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to perform specific causal validation of nursing diagnosis Risk for thrombosis (00291) of the NANDA International (NANDA-I) classification.

Methods

This is a case–control study conducted in a university hospital from January to October 2020. A total of 516 adult patients were included—344 in the Case Group (with venous or arterial thrombosis evidenced by imaging) and 172 in the Control Group (without thrombosis). Statistical analysis was performed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression test, and odds ratios were calculated to measure the effect of exposure between groups. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee.

Findings

The patients were predominantly female and aged 59 ± 16 years. In the univariate logistic analysis, five risk factors were significantly associated with thrombosis, two at-risk populations and 12 associated conditions. In the multivariate regression model, the following risk factors remained independently associated (p < 0.05): inadequate knowledge of modifiable factors (OR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.25–8.56) and ineffective medication self-management (OR: 3.2; 95% CI:1.77–6.26); at-risk populations with history (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.29–3.66) and family history of thrombosis (OR:2.60; 95% CI: 1.03–7.49); and the conditions associated with vascular diseases (OR:6.12; 95% CI:1.69–39.42), blood coagulation disorders (OR: 5.14; 95% CI:1.85–18.37), atherosclerosis (OR:2.07; 95% CI: 1.32–3.27), critical illness (OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.42–3.70), and immobility (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.10–4.12).

Conclusions

The clinical validation allowed to establish strong evidence for the refinement of the diagnosis Risk for thrombosis and, consequently, to raise its level of evidence in the classification of NANDA-I.

Implications for nursing practice

The evidence pointed out by this study favors the establishment of thrombosis diagnosis in an accurate way by nurses in clinical practice, directing preventive interventions to patients in this risk condition.