KNOWLEDGE DEFICIT AND ANXIETY AS NURSING DIAGNOSES IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY TO IDENTIFY THE DEFINING CHARACTERISTICS AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.
Contributors: University of Texas at Austin.
Published: 1986
Number of pages: 218
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: This study sought to identify the defining characteristics and contributing factors for two nursing diagnoses, knowledge deficit and anxiety, in the third trimester of pregnancy. The State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), structured interview and observation were used to assess the signs and symptoms of anxiety. A knowledge scale developed for this study and structured interviews were used to assess the level of knowledge. The conceptual framework was based on nursing process and Rubin's (1967) maternal role attainment.

Findings were based on responses of 30 third trimester pregnant women and 30 maternity nurses. Data was collected using a two phase process. Phase I included demographic data with risk factor analysis the pregnant women, administration of the STAI and knowledge scale, interviewing and observing the pregnant women about concerns, feelings and worries during the pregnancy as well as obtaining indicators of their level of knowledge about pregnancy. Phase II consisted of development of a rating scale for the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnoses, knowledge deficit and anxiety, from the data collected in phase one and from selected literature. The rating scale was sent to maternity nurses for validation.

For the nursing diagnosis of knowledge deficit among women in the third trimester of pregnancy, two defining characteristics and two contributing factors were identified. For the nursing diagnosis of anxiety among women in the third trimester of pregnancy, two defining characteristics and two contributing factors were identified. The relationship between nurses and third trimester pregnant women about the defining characteristics and contributing factors for the nursing diagnoses, knowledge deficit and anxiety was mixed. Support was found for a relationship between nurses and pregnant women about four variables for each nursing diagnosis. These variables were used to develop a model for each nursing diagnosis.

This study provided a beginning effort toward the development of a scientifically defensible basis for the defining characteristics and contributing factors for two nursing diagnosis, knowledge deficit and anxiety, in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 47-09, Section: B, page: 3703.

Thesis (PH.D.)--THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN, 1986.

School code: 0227.