RESUMEN
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...