This analysis included 27 defining characteristics, six for IBP (tachypnea, use of accessory muscles to breath, increase in anterior-posterior chest diameter, altered chest excursion, pursed-lip breathing, and bradypnea), seven for IAC (ineffective cough, adventitious breath sounds, diminished breath sounds, excessive sputum, absence of cough, difficulty verbalizing, and wide-eyed look), eight for IGE (hypoxemia, tachycardia, abnormal skin color, irritability, diaphoresis, somnolence, headache upon awakening, and confusion), and six common to two or more diagnoses (abnormal breathing pattern, dyspnea, orthopnea, restlessness, nasal flaring, and cyanosis), as described in the NANDA-I terminology. The defining characteristics related to spirometric tests and blood gas tests were not evaluated because there were no data available for laboratory exams and/or there were medical contraindications for these exams.