Instrument validation for assessing critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation according to the ABCDE

Abstract

The objective of this study was to validate the content of an instrument aimed at guiding the nursing care provided to patients on artificial respiration. An instrument was created with five indicators, inspired on the mnemonic ABCDE method, used in the Advanced Trauma Life Support course, namely: A – Airway maintenance, with 38 items; B – Breathing and ventilation, 11 items; C – Circulation with hemorrhage control, 16 items; D – Disability/neurologic assessment, 08 items; and E – Exposure and environmental control, 08 items. The Content Validity Index (CVI) was used to calculate the degree of agreement among the experts for the general analysis of the instrument and the analysis of the set of items. In conclusion, this instrument works as an assessment tool for patients on artificial respiration, especially when they are in adapted environments to intensive care, as it guides the nurse to observe aspects that may cause harm to the patient.