Clinical validation of the NANDA-I diagnosis of impaired memory in elderly patients

PurposeThe aim of this study was to perform a clinical validation of the defining characteristics of impaired memory (IM) in elderly patients at a long-term care institution.MethodsA sample of 123 elderly patients was evaluated with a questionnaire designed to identify IM according to the NANDA-I taxonomy. Accuracy measures were calculated for the total sample and for males and females separately.ResultsSensitivity and specificity values indicated that: (1) inability to learn new skills is useful in screening IM, and (2) forgets to perform a behavior at a scheduled time, forgetfulness, inability to learn new information, inability to recall events, and inability to recall factual information are confirmatory indicators.ConclusionSpecific factors can affect the manifestation of IM by elderly patients. The results may be useful in improving diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of the IM nursing diagnosis.