Middle range theory for the nursing diagnosis Excess Fluid Volume in pregnant women

Abstract

Objective: To stablish a middle range theory for the understanding of the causal mecha-nisms and clinical consequentes of the nursing diagnosis Excess Fluid Volume (00026) among pregnant women. Method: The Middle Range Theory was constructed in five stages: defin-ing of construction approach, establishing main concepts, elaborating propositions, devel-oping a pictorial diagram, and establishing the causal relationships and evidence for practice of the Middle Range Theory. Results: We identified 14 clinical indicators and 6 causal factors of Excess Fluid Volume. A pictorial diagram was developed and relationships between Excess Fluid Volume elements were established with 6 propositions for them. Conclusion: The Middle Range Theory included both physiological and pathological conditions to explain Excess Fluid Volume. This Middle Range Theory might help in the better understanding of interac-tions between causal factors and clinical indicators of Excess Fluid Volume.