OBJECTIVE: The study aims to proceed a literature review of defining characteristics (DCs) of decreased cardiac output (DCO). METHODS: Medline database was used to perform this study. The descriptors used were "low cardiac output" and "nursing diagnosis." RESULTS: Seventy-nine DCs were identified. Among them, 28 have already been approved by NANDA-I. Some data from microcirculation assessment such as high levels of serum lactate and decreased oxygen venous saturation were identified as indicators of this nursing diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the approved DCs were identified through literature review but others seem to be new as they have not been cited in the NANDA-I classification. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Further content and clinical validations are needed to confirm if data from microcirculation might be considered as DCs of DCO.
OBJECTIVE: The study aims to proceed a literature review of defining characteristics (DCs) of decreased cardiac output (DCO). METHODS: Medline database was used to perform this study. The descriptors used were "low cardiac output" and "nursing diagnosis." RESULTS: Seventy-nine DCs were identified. Among them, 28 have already been approved by NANDA-I. Some data from microcirculation assessment such as high levels of serum lactate and decreased oxygen venous saturation were identified as indicators of this nursing diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Some of the approved DCs were identified through literature review but others seem to be new as they have not been cited in the NANDA-I classification. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Further content and clinical validations are needed to confirm if data from microcirculation might be considered as DCs of DCO.