Conceptual and Operational Definitions for the Nursing Diagnosis "Urinary Retention".

PURPOSE: To develop conceptual and operational definitions for defining characteristics and related factors for nursing diagnosis of urinary retention, as contained in Taxonomy II of NANDA-I.

DATA SOURCES: Integrative literature review and elaboration of terms related to urinary retention.

DATA SYNTHESIS: It includes operational and conceptual definitions of the nursing diagnosis urinary retention.

CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to review the definition of this nursing diagnosis and most of its defining characteristics and related factors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The use of internationally known terms for various disciplines in areas of common knowledge helps to standardize the language used by professionals.