ABSTRACT
Aim:To describe the clinical characteristics from the terms found in the nursing and medical records of
children hospitalized with congenital heart disease.Method:This was a cross-sectional study conducted in
a public hospital. The data from 82 records were analyzed by two expert pediatric cardiology nurses. There
was consensus and agreement after individual analysis of the 100 records. Results:The records were of
nurslings (91.5%), mostly male (54.9%). The most common terms were “cyanotic” (80.5%) and “respiratory
effort” (79.3%). Discussion:The terms used were related to changes in the supply of oxygen and blood flow,
suggesting that the cardiocirculatory pathophysiological aspects guide the nursing needs and planning care.
Conclusion:The records highlight the color of the skin, the respiratory pattern and hemodynamic aspect
as the central points of nursing care with regard to this group of patients.