Nursing care in the post-operative liver transplantation: identifying nursing diagnoses

Abstract

Documentary research conducted in a hospital in Fortaleza, Ceara State from January to April 2008 that aimed to identify the nursing diagnosis in the post-operative period of patients undergoing liver transplantation. Out of 14 files, it was investigated the charts of all patients transplanted during the investigation by means of a form, from the medical notes and nursing in the first 24 hours after surgery. It was identified 21 nursing diagnoses according to Taxonomy II of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA). Nine (43%) diagnoses were present in all patients: risk of infection, inefficient protection, ineffective tissue integrity, and risk for perioperative positioning injury, lack of self-care for bath / hygiene, impaired verbal communication, unbalanced nutrition, risk of aspiration and impaired bed mobility. In addition, other 12 (57%) less frequent diagnoses were identified. The nursing diagnosis becomes a facilitator of nursing actions, because it indicates which interventions meets the clinical needs of patients, using the critical evaluation for decision making. It is concluded that nursing diagnoses are essential for the construction of a holistic, humanized and personal treatment plan, providing subsidies to improve the perioperative practice of liver transplantation.