Clinical validation of the nursing diagnosis of impaired memory in patients with a stroke

• Published in: Japan journal of nursing science : JJNS 2019-04, Vol.16 (2), p.136-144
• Main Authors: de Lima Ferreira, Gabriele, de Oliveira Lopes, Marcos V., Montoril, Michelle H., Diniz, Camila M., Santana, Rosimere F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brain damage; brain injury; Classification; Medical diagnosis; Memory; Nursing; nursing diagnosis; Stroke
• ISSN: 1742-7932; 1742-7924
• DOI: 10.1111/jjns.12220

Aim To validate the clinical indicators for the nursing diagnosis of impaired memory among patients with a stroke. Methods A sample of 123 patients who had been admitted with a stroke was evaluated by using a questionnaire that was designed to identify the presence of the clinical indicators for the diagnosis of impaired memory, according to the NANDA International taxonomy. Measures of sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each clinical indicator by using random‐effects latent class analysis. Results The clinical indicators that demonstrated high levels of diagnostic accuracy included the following: an inability to learn new skills and an inability to retain new skills. The inability to learn new skills and the inability to carry out previously learned skills were identified as the clinical indicators with high sensitivity and specificity in the latent class model with adjustment for age. The inability to retain new skills indicator showed better diagnostic accuracy in individuals with lower educational levels. Conclusion The clinical indicators of the impaired memory diagnosis were observed frequently in patients with a stroke; in these patients, impaired memory was characterized by the inability to learn or retain new skills and was influenced by the age and educational level.