Validating the nursing diagnosis of impaired physical mobility.

The lack of research-based literature and of research models for validating nursing diagnoses results in some ambiguity in research efforts. Research must, however, move forward if there is to be progress in differentiating nursing and medical diagnostic models and use of nursing diagnoses to improve communication among nurses. Operational definitions of nursing diagnosis terminology are essential to continue work in validating nursing diagnoses, particularly in the clinical setting. The diagnosis impaired physical mobility was found to be an appropriate diagnosis for rehabilitation patients. Continued study and refinement of etiologies and defining characteristics is needed.