Nursing Diagnosis of Neonatal Jaundice: Study of Clinical Indicators.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify the defining characteristics of, and examine their association with, the nursing diagnosis (ND) of Neonatal Jaundice (00194) in sample of hospitalized newborns.

DESIGN AND METHODS

A cross-sectional study developed with 100 newborns aged between 24h and ten days. Data collection was performed in a public hospital of tertiary health care between March and June of 2016.

RESULTS

The ND of Neonatal jaundice was present in 31% of the sample. The most frequent defining characteristics were yellow-orange skin color (65%) and abnormal blood profile (75%). Yellow mucous membranes, yellow-orange skin color and bruised skin showed statistically significant sensitivity and specificity. Yellow mucous membranes, yellow sclera and yellow-orange skin color were statistically associated with Neonatal jaundice. Yellow mucous membranes showed the best diagnostic accuracy measurements.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical indicators that best predicted and increased the probability of developing jaundice were identified.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

These clinical indicators increase the ability of nurses to clinically infer nursing diagnoses. This allows nurses to identify signs and symptoms of health conditions in a sensible and definitive manner, decreasing the possibility of errors.