A Study on Content Validity of Defining Characteristics for Nurses to Make Clinical Judgment on “Impaired Swallowing”

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to clarify defining characteristics with content validity for nurses to make clinical judgment of impaired swallowing, as well as the major and minor characteristics. Methods: Fehring's DCV model was used in this study. We conducted a questionnaire survey on 672 experts of nursing diagnosis of impaired swallowing. The five-point Likert Scale was used to examine the extent to which 78 defining characteristics indicated impaired swallowing. For each defining characteristic, response was scored and DCV score (average) was calculated. Each defining characteristic was divided into major, minor, and exclusion characteristics according to DCV scores. Results: Valid responses were obtained from 327 experts. There were 11 major characteristics (cyanosis during the meal, respiratory distress after swallowing, abnormal pharyngeal phase of swallow study, wet respiratory sounds after swallowing, choking, muddy sounds during or after a meal, inadequate laryngeal elevation, delayed swallowing, choking prior to swallowing, gargling breath sounds after swallowing, and nasal reflux). There were 52 minor characteristics and 15 exclusion characteristics. Conclusions: We clarified defining characteristics of impaired swallowing with content validity based on opinions of experts familiar with nursing diagnosis of impaired swallowing.