Coining and Defining Novel Nursing Terminology. Part 3: Critical Incident Control

PURPOSE.  In the third of a three-part series, a novel nursing terminology is introduced and proposed for inclusion in the Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC)—Critical incident control (CIC)—defined as a response that attempts to reverse a life-threatening condition. Critical incident nursing diagnosis (CIND), defined as recognition of an acute life-threatening event that occurs as a result of disease, surgery, treatment, or medication, and critical incident nursing intervention, defined as any indirect or direct care registered nurse–initiated treatment, based upon clinical judgment and knowledge that a registered nurse performs in response to a CIND, were introduced in Parts 1 and 2 of this series, respectively.

DATA SOURCES.  The current literature, research studies, meta-analyses from a variety of disciplines, and personal clinical experience serve as the data sources for this article.

DATA SYNTHESIS.  The current nursing outcomes in the NOC are inaccurate or inadequate for describing nursing care during life-threatening situations. The lack of standardized nursing terminology creates a barrier that may impede critical communication and patient care during life-threatening situations.

CONCLUSION.  Coining and defining novel nursing terminology, CIC, for patient care during life-threatening situations is important and fills the gap in the current standardized nursing terminology.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE.  Refining the NOC will permit nursing researchers, among others, to conduct studies on nursing diagnoses in conjunction with the proposed novel nursing terminology, CIC.