PURPOSE. We aimed to identify the cues of expert nurses and validate the cue information on the defining characteristics for a nursing diagnosis of ineffective self-management of fluid and dietary restrictions in dialysis therapy in Japan.
METHODS. We used qualitative interviews and two-round Delphi studies.
FINDINGS. The expert nurses regarded four signs of unmaintained fluid and dietary restrictions as major defining characteristics and nine other cues as minor defining characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS. Expert nurses in dialysis therapy regard symptoms of health behavior as major cues for nursing diagnosis of ineffective self-management of fluid and dietary restrictions in dialysis therapy.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE. Verification of the clinical validity and development of a specific, clinically useful database on nursing diagnoses are required.