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

Purpose: The 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.

Methods: A 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.

Results: Sensitivity 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.

Conclusion: Specific 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.