Accuracy of the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis: Ineffective thermoregulation in newborns.

Objective: To identify the measures of accuracy for defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis: Ineffective thermoregulation in newborns.

Method: Diagnostic accuracy study with cross-sectional design performed in medium and high-risk maternity units, located in Fortaleza city/Brazil. A total of 216 newborns were evaluated to identify the defining characteristics of the diagnosis under study. The measures of accuracy for defining characteristics were obtained from a latent class model with random effects for the calculation of sensitivity and specificity values.

Results: The characteristics of increased respiratory rate and warm skin to the touch had higher sensitivity values (99.9%) and lower specificity (79 and 75%) and the characteristics of body temperature fluctuations above and below the normal parameters and hypertension had the highest specificity (80.4 and 100%, respectively).

Conclusion: The characteristic fluctuation of the body temperature above and below the normal parameters may be better to confirm the diagnosis, having presented a higher specificity value.