Risk classification in pediatrics made by nurses focusing on clinical conditions

Abstract

Objective: to verify the association between the classification of risk made by the nurses and the clinical conditions presented by children and adolescents. Methods: a cross - sectional study was carried out with 397 children/adolescents in the emergency room of a public secondary hospital. In the data collection, a formulary was used, containing sociodemographic and clinical data; and the Guideline for Acceptance with Risk Rating in Pediatrics. Results: there was no significant association between the socio-demographic characteristics of the children and risk classification. They were female, aged between one and five years and weight appropriate for the age group. There was a significant association (p<0.005) between risk ratings, risk discriminators (p=0.001), procedures performed (p<0.001) and patient’s destination (p=0.013). Conclusion: the association between adopted risk classification and pediatric clinical variables confirms the degree of complexity presented by children/adolescents, favoring assertive clinical evaluation by the host nurse.