Defining Characteristics of Decreased Cardiac Output: A Literature Review

OBJECTIVE. The study aims to proceed a literature review of defining characteristics (DCs) of decreased cardiac output (DCO). METHODS. Medline database was used to perform this study. The descriptors used were "low cardiac output" and "nursing diagnosis." RESULTS. Seventy-nine DCs were identified. Among them, 28 have already been approved by NANDA-I. Some data from microcirculation assessment such as high levels of serum lactate and decreased oxygen venous saturation were identified as indicators of this nursing diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS. Some of the approved DCs were identified through literature review but others seem to be new as they have not been cited in the NANDA-I classification. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS. Further content and clinical validations are needed to confirm if data from microcirculation might be considered as DCs of DCO.