Aim: To check the content validity of operational definitions for respiratory indicators of ineffective breathing pattern of children with congenital heart disease.
Methods: A methodologic study performed with Brazilian expert nurses that assesses the item-objective congruence and adequacy of criteria of operational definitions for indicators of ineffective breathing pattern.
Results: Thirty two indicators presented item-objective congruence higher than 0.80. The content validity index higher than 0.80 was identified in at least 16 indicators for each criterion.
Conclusion: Implementation of these concepts is helpful but they need to be kept under review.