THEORY OF UNPLEASANT SYMPTOMS: CRITICAL ANALYSIS

a descriptive-reflexive study developed in the first half of 2016. He used the first five phases proposed by the Walker and Avant model: identification of the origins of the theory; examination of the meaning of the theory; logical adequacy; utility; degree of generalization and parsimony of theory.

Results:

the study allowed the reflection on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms, considering the multidimensionality of the symptoms and the potential stimulation between them. It was identified the relations between the main concepts used to construct the theory: physiological, psychological and situational factors, followed by performance, suffering, duration, quality, intensity and unpleasant symptoms.

Conclusion:

the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms presents a structured theoretical framework, presenting logical meaning, through well-defined concepts and relations, which make possible its use in practice, teaching and nursing research.

DESCRIPTORS:
Nursing; Nursing theory; Philosophy in nursing; Evaluation of symptoms; Nursing Research; Methodological research in Nursing

Main Concepts	Definitions
Physiological factors	They represent the symptoms that are reflected and influence the identification of the diagnosis. There is a relation between the physiological factors and the experience of the symptoms.
Psychological factors	It includes the individual's mental state or mood, affective reaction to illness, as well as knowledge about symptoms and their meaning.
Situational factors	They include social aspects and the physical environment that can affect the experience and reporting of symptoms by the individual.
Performance	Consists of the consequence or effect of the experience of the symptoms. Includes functional and cognitive aspects.
Suffering	Refers to the degree of discomfort of the individual in relation to the symptom or group of symptoms.
Duration	Includes the frequency and duration of a symptom. Such characteristics may be presented in isolation or in combination.
Quality	It represents the variation of symptoms or the way they are manifested. It can be used to distinguish pathologies or indicate the severity of the problem.
Intensity	Related to the strength or severity of a symptom. Relatively quantifiable, intensity is the most discussed dimension in clinical assessment and research.
Unpleasant symptoms	Subjective indicators of health threats. It points out perceived changes by clients in the expected functioning of the human body, generally experienced as unpleasant.

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Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Programa de Pós Graduação em Enfermagem Campus Universitário Trindade, 88040-970 Florianópolis - Santa Catarina - Brasil, Tel.: (55 48) 3721-4915 / (55 48) 3721-9043 - Florianópolis - SC - Brazil
E-mail: textoecontexto@contato.ufsc.br

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[1] CORRESPONDENCE AUTHOR. Gabriela Lisieux Lima Gomes.gabylisieux@gmail.com

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