OBJECTIVE: To construct and validate a scale for assessment of the feet of patients with diabetes mellitus according to NOC indicators to the outcome "Tissue Integrity: skin and mucous membranes". METHODS: This study was developed using evidence-based nursing. Based on the question: "Which indicators should be employed for assessing the feet of patients with diabetes mellitus?", a search was performed in databases and textbooks and subsequently the construction of a scale and assessment by expert nurses. RESULTS: The final version of the instrument consists of 20 indicators for assessment of the conditions of skin and hair, blood circulation, sensitivity, temperature and foot plantar pressure. CONCLUSION: The instrument proposed for assessment of tissue integrity of the feet of patients with diabetes mellitus was constructed and validated by expert nurses with a high level of acceptance.
Nursing assessment; Nursing research; Nursing process; Diabetes mellitus; Lower extremity