OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate conceptual and operational definitions for the defining characteristics of the respiratory nursing diagnoses, ineffective breathing pattern, impaired gas exchange and impaired spontaneous ventilation, in newborns.METHODS: This was a methodological study of conceptual validation of the defining characteristics of three respiratory nursing diagnoses, by consensus analysis of a committee of five specialist nurses, and then a group of five non-nursing

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... , using the Delphi technique.RESULTS: After two rounds of evaluation, consensus was obtained that was equal to or greater than 80% on all of the definitions, which were then considered validated.CONCLUSION: The definitions developed for the defining characteristics of three nursing diagnoses were validated with a high level of consensus.