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.