Nursing intervention during the pre-operative period in cardiovascular surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Adequate nursing intervention can improve post-operative outcomes, stress and knowledge; and reduce complications.

Objective: Present a personalized nursing intervention in the pre-operative period of cardiovascular surgery at the Center for Medical and Surgical Research.

Methods: A longitudinal and pre-experimental study was conducted, which included 88 people who attended the Cardiovascular Surgery Service of the Center for Medical and Surgical Research in a period of two years. The Trait-State Anxiety Inventory and Trait-State Depression Inventory tests were applied to measure anxiety and depression; as well as the ESCAPS test (Instrument for measuring the coping and adaptation process) and a semi-structured interview that explored knowledge. A personalized nursing intervention was performed. The initial and final results were compared, and expressed in absolute numbers, percentages and average. The Chi-square test was applied to the qualitative variables and the Student test for independent means to the quantitative variables, with a 95% confidence interval.

Results: Men (57.9 %) with a mean age of 57.73 ± 11.9 years predominated. After the intervention, anxiety was reduced by 36.6% (p < 0.001) and depression by 72.7% (p = 0). Knowledge increased (76.1%; p = 0.037) and coping and adaptive capacity (0.11 points). Only an association was found between anxiety and depression with complications (p = 0.008 and p < 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions: Nursing intervention positively modified anxiety and depression by optimizing coping and adaptation capacity.