OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of nursing diagnoses: ineffective breathing pattern (IBP) (00032), ineffective airway clearance (IAC) (00031), impaired gas exchange (IGE) (00030) and impaired spontaneous ventilation (ISP) (00033), their defining characteristics and related factors, in children with acute respiratory infection. METHODS: A quantitative, transversal approach with 151 children. Data were collected by means of interviews and pulmonary evaluation. For data analysis, we used descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The most prevalent diagnosis was IBP. Adventitious breath sounds and ineffective cough were the most prevalent defining characteristics. Adventitious breath sounds increased by 80% the chance for IAC. Among the related factors, the highlights were: secretions in the bronchi and retained secretions. Secretions in the bronchi favored in 80% the occurrence of IBP and in 60% of IAC. This verified a statistically significant association between the defining characteristics and related factors of the diagnoses studied. CONCLUSION: The four diagnoses were identified in children with acute respiratory infections, with different prevalences.
Respiratory tract infections; Child; Nursing diagnosis
