Testing of instruments which identify aging concepts and classify nursing actions

This methodological study tested two instruments: Theoretical Concepts of Aging and a Classification System of Nursing Actions for the Older Person (Bush, 1975) . Sixteen nursing care plans which had been written by master's nursing students constituted the sample of data. Interrater reliability was established for both tools by a panel of six master ' s prepared nurses. Concepts located in the nursing diagnoses were, in rank order, for the response component: anxiety, insecurity, physical problems, self-worth, and discomfort . For the etiology component, in order of importance , the concepts located were: discomfort; physical problems, pain, anxiety, and insecurity. The most implemented nursing action was teaching. Since the concepts and nursing action which were located are found in nurses' care plans in general, the conclusion was made that the sample of students was giving nursing care to older persons which was not specifically based on aging theories.