Table 3.

Example of Application of Conceptual Graph Schema to Nursing Activity Concepts

a. Simplified conceptual graph schema for a nursing activity concept

[activity]- (has initiator) → [{MD, skilled profesional, paraprofessional, patient, caregiver, self}] (has provider) → [{MD, skilled professional, paraprofessional, patient, caregiver, self}] (has recipient) → [{patient, family, formal caregiver, informal caregiver, skilled professional, paraprofessional}] (has delivery mode) → [{assess, teach, provide, manage}] (has response) → [{verbalizes understanding, provides return demonstration, initiates service}]

b. Instantiation of the schema with terms from a nursing note

Obtained medical history. Taught insulin injection. Return demonstration by patient. Dressed wound per MD order. Placed call to Meals on Wheels for initiation of services.

[medical history]- (has provider) → [home care nurse] (has recipient) → [patient] (has delivery mode) → [assess]* [insulin injection]- (has provider) → [home care nurse] (has recipient) → [patient] (has delivery mode) → [teach] (has response) → [provides return demonstration]** [wound dressing]- (has initiator) → [MD] (has provider) → [home care nurse] (has recipient) → [patient] (has delivery mode) → [provide] [service request]- (has provider) → [home care nurse] (has recipient) → [Meals on Wheels] (has delivery mode) → [manage] (has response) → [initiated services]

^*It is assumed that an underlying model to support synonomy exists that would allow correct linkage of the term “obtained” with the delivery mode “assess.”

^**It is anticipated that concepts linked to the “has response” relation will most often themselves be expressed via a “response conceptual graph” schema similar—but not necessarily identical—to the activity schema presented above.