title: Concept analysis methodology: applications to altered level of consciousness.
abstract: Concept analysis is the first step in instrument development. Steps in the concept analysis process are discussed and applied to the analysis of altered level of consciousness (ALC) as a potential nursing diagnosis for submission to the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association. Criteria regarding ALC have been defined for the assessment of neurologically impaired patients and not for the neurologically intact postanesthesia patient. It is assumed that postanesthesia patients experience chemically induced ALC, and consensus regarding what constitutes this concept needs to be validated by PACU nurses. The first step in instrument development is a clear definition of the concept of interest. The criteria for ALC determined by the PACU nurses could then be used to construct a pencil-and-paper instrument that would allow the concept to be tested on postanesthesia patients as they emerge from anesthesia. This concept analysis-to-instrument development process discussion can be applied to any concept of interest to the PACU nurse.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Summers
mesh_terms: D003243:Consciousness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing; D011184:Postoperative Period