Nursing diagnosis proposal “Impaired Peripheral Venous Return”: concept formation

OBJECTIVES: to develop a nursing diagnosis proposal focused on venous return. METHODS: this is a concept analysis according to the model proposed by Walker and Avant, which is operationalized through an integrative review. The study was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol recommendations. RESULTS: the analysis of the 131 studies allowed identifying attributes, antecedents and consequences. The most common attribute was decreased venous flow. The antecedents most frequently found were structural and/or functional valve deficiency, advanced age and peripheral venous thrombosis. The most common consequences were peripheral edema, venous ulcer and pain in the extremity. CONCLUSIONS: the formulated nursing diagnosis was proposed as part of Domain 4, Activity/rest, in Class 4, Cardiovascular/pulmonary responses, with eight defining characteristics, five related factors, six at-risk populations and four associated conditions.