Purpose

This study aimed to develop the nursing diagnosis concept “compromised end-of-life syndrome” in palliative care.

Methods

The authors used the integrative strategy by Meleis to develop the concept in this study and identifying clinical indicators from a literature review. For data organization, we applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Metanalysis (PRISMA).

Findings

Some clusters of unpleasant signs and symptoms in palliative care patients at the end of life, such as pain, dyspnea, depression, constipation, and anxiety, were identified. Through conceptualization, the authors propose a new nursing diagnosis, “compromised end-of-life syndrome.” The manuscript includes a model case of a patient with nursing diagnosis syndrome as a clinical example.

Conclusions

Simultaneous patterns of signs and symptoms present in the literature reinforce the utility of the proposition of end-of-life syndrome as a nursing diagnostic construct.

Implications for nursing practice

The concept development related to patients’ unpleasant signs and symptoms critically ill at palliative care supports the proposition of a new nursing diagnosis relevant to selecting adequate nursing interventions and nursing outcomes. Some clusters of unpleasant signs and symptoms in palliative care patients at the end of life, such as pain, dyspnea, depression, constipation, and anxiety were identified. Conceptualization was used to propose a new nursing diagnosis, “compromised end-of-life syndrome.” A model case of a patient with nursing diagnosis syndrome is described as a clinical example.

Conclusion

Simultaneous patterns of signs and symptoms present in the literature reinforce the utility of the proposition of end-of-life syndrome as nursing diagnostic construct.

Implications for Nursing practice: The concept development related to patients' unpleasant signs and symptoms critically ill at palliative care supports the proposition of a new nursing diagnosis relevant to selecting adequate nursing interventions and nursing outcomes.