O cuidado do enfermeiro ao idoso em pré-operatório de cirurgia cardíaca.

Abstract

The objective of this research lies in Nursing Care Visit during pre-operative evaluation of elderly patients scheduled to heart surgery. According to Regis and Santiago (2008) nursing visits, as a pre-operative routine, greatly contributes in reducing some complications after cardiac surgery. These are sometimes related to fear of the unknown and anxiety caused by lack of information and guidance. Nurses should be prepared to care for the elderly patient who is being prepared to heart surgery since this procedure is increasely being performed. We consider nursing care during pre-operative period of heart surgery an important factor. The nurse that takes care of these patients may ignore some of subjects needs due to the complexity of cardiac surgery and the advances in technology that involves this treatment. This study in part of a Master Degree thesis corresponding to the Academic Master of Science in Health Care at the Universidade Federal Fluminense, in order to: describe the expectations of care from elderly patients facing cardiac surgery based on the analysis of their speech b) discuss the speech of the elderly and the implications for compliance with the standards of knowledge of nurses in the pre-operative period of cardiac surgery. It is a descriptive and exploratory survey, with a critical and reflective perspective and a qualitative approach, using field research. It was held at the National Institute of Cardiology RJ -Brazil. The subjects were old (>60 years old) patients of both sexes admitted to perform heart surgery. We interviewed 10 seniors, including 6 men and 4 women. Three of them are aged between 60 to 65 years, six aged 66 to 70 years, one aged over 70 years. Three have completed elementary school, two have an incomplete high school education, four have complete high school and one has graduated from university. Four underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR), three coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), an aortic valve replacement with CABG, one underwent aortic valve replacement with CABG and tricuspid valve annuloplasty and one underwent a mitral valve replacement and tricuspid annuloplasty. The technique used was the analysis of the collective subject discourse according to Lefèvre. The ethical aspects were respected according to the Resolution 196/96 and the research was approved under the number 0268/26.02.2010 from the Research Ethics Committee from the National Institute of Cardiology. The results were presented and discussed based on the five essay questions that emerged after the interviews. It was felt that the family, from elderly point of view, is seen in the figure of the wife, husband, sons, nephews and grandchildren. The fact they are hospitalized to undergo a surgery leaves them anxious and fearful about the future of their families. The nursing care is viewed as an important and relevant activity, but only focused on the biological aspects of the body. Nonetheless it was observed that these individuals feel the need for other aspects of care, not just the biological one. Once we understand better the daily aspects of our practice, viewed from the standpoint of the client (in this research, the elderly) we may realize how small details such as the look, touch, words and gestures may be important to the their well-being.