Definition of Concepts Clinical Event and Situation that Require Nursing Care

Abstract

Concept definition and analysis has become an important process for producing knowledge in the field of nursing. This assertion is supported by the literature published in recent decades, which contains articles on concepts that have contributed to the growth of knowledge with respect to nursing. Yet, the concepts that contribute to knowledge in the clinical area and favor unification of the language used by nurses in that area clearly need to be clarified. Doing so could demonstrate that nursing is more than action focused on care; it also deals with concepts (words and phrases) that indicate attention in clinical practice, concepts which must be the result of rigorous study.

This article offers a definition of the synthesized concepts of a Clinical Event that Requires Nursing Care (CERNC) and a Situation that Requires Nursing Care (SRNC), based on the patient’s physiological changes, feelings, emotions and concerns during the early postoperative phase (48-96 hours) of myocardial revascularization (MRV). These concepts provided the conceptual framework for a doctoral dissertation entitled “Nursing Care for Patients in the Early Postoperative Phase of Myocardial Revascularization.” The definition was developed using Walker and Avant’s concept synthesis method as a strategy for constructing theory that helps to enrich knowledge in the field of nursing. In their opinion, concept synthesis is based on observation or empirical evidence. With this method, data can be obtained from direct observation, quantitative evidence, literature or a combination of all three. The concept synthesis process is regarded as one of the most exciting ways to begin to construct theory. It also allows theory to use clinical experience as a starting point.