Studies on validation of nursing diagnoses have been strongly influenced by the methodological framework developed in the 1980s. The suitability of these models to validate elements that make a nursing diagnosis has undergone several criticisms. This article aims to discuss these limitations and describe alternative approaches to overcome the criticism of traditional models. A critical analysis based on recent published literature on new approaches in research diagnoses was taken as basis for the discussions presented. Alternative methods are described for the concept analysis applied the procedures for validation of nursing diagnoses; methods for diagnostic content analysis by proficient judges, and methods for clinical validation of indicators and etiological factors. Conclude that there are few studies with these new approaches and the complexity of the analysis is an aspect that hinders its implementation.

Knowledge of the accuracy characteristics of clinical indicators allows the identification and discrimination of the most suitable nursing diagnoses.

O objetivo da pesquisa foi avaliar os indicadores de risco para a hipertensão arterial em crianças e adolescentes. Estudo transversal desenvolvido com 342 indivíduos de seis a 18 anos de uma escola da cidade de Fortaleza (CE). A maioria eram homens (51,5%). A média de idade foi 11,73 anos ( 3,19). Foram freqüentes os escolares com sobrepeso / obesidade (16,8%) e com pressão arterial acima do percentil 90 (44,7%). Sedentarismo, tabagismo e etilismo estiveram presentes em 51,5%, 38% e 15,5% dos avaliados. A pressão arterial sistólica esteve correlacionada com as variáveis: idade, peso, estatura, perímetros da cintura e do quadril, prega subescapular e Índice de Massa Corporal. Houve correlação da pressão arterial diastólica com idade, peso, estatura, perímetros da cintura e do quadril. Confirma-se a influência de fatores de risco sobre os valores da pressão arterial em jovens. A pressão arterial sistólica foi especialmente influenciada por indicadores antropométricos.

This MRT can assist clinicians in understanding clinical reasoning, based on temporal logic and spectral interaction among elements of nursing classifications. In turn, this understanding will improve the use and accuracy of nursing diagnosis, which is a critical component of the nursing process that forms a basis for nursing practice standards worldwide.