Evaluation of Patients with Hyperthermia According to the Thermoregulation Nursing Outcomes Classification

Abstract

Purpose

This study was designed to evaluate the process of controlling body temperature in patients who were diagnosed with infection and followed up with the diagnosis of “hyperthermia” according to the NANDA-I nursing diagnosis classification according to the outcome criterion “NOC (0800) Thermoregulation Assessment.”

Method

This methodological and descriptive study was conducted with 102 inpatients followed up with the nursing diagnosis of “hyperthermia” in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology of a training and research hospital between June 2024 and June 2025. The data were collected using the “Patient Information Form” and the “NOC (0800) Thermoregulation Assessment Scale.” Statistical analyses specific to groups that were normally distributed (t-test) or not (Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, and Spearman correlation analysis) were done to analyze the data. For validity and reliability, the Davis Technique, Cronbach's α coefficient, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual fit indices, and item-total correlation statistical analyses were done.

Findings

The content validity index of the NOC scale was calculated as 0.97. When the mean scores of the patients on the NOC (0800) Thermoregulation Assessment Scale were analyzed, a statistically significant difference was observed for repeated assessments (p < 0.01). The indicators “dropped skin temperature”, “hypothermia”, “heat cramps”, “heat stroke”, and “cold-related tissue damage” were “not applicable” in the study population. No statistically significant difference was found between the NOC scale mean scores of the patients according to their gender, marital status, educational level, occupation, and presence of chronic diseases (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

The Turkish version of the NOC (0800) Thermoregulation Assessment Scale was a valid tool that could be used during the process of controlling body temperature in patients with infection.

Implications of nursing practice

The use of the NOC (0800) Thermoregulation Assessment Scale would create a common language for delivering nursing care while assessing the process of controlling body temperature.