[Knowledge production about nursing outcomes].

This literature review aimed at identifying and analysing the knowledge production regarding nursing outcomes in a worldwide context. A systematized review was carried out using LILACS and MEDLINE databases. The following key words were used: outcomes, nursing and classification. No national production was identified. The main issues raised were: the use of the standardized outcomes classifications to measure changes in the patient's health condition; the use of the Nursing Outcomes Classifications (NOC) as the chosen terminology for nursing practice; the need to rank effectivity of nursing interventions by identifying the nursing-sensitive patient outcomes, as well as to make the nursing practice a profitable one to the institutions. It is important to develop and Brazilian studies addressing the issue.