Università degli Studi di Modena e Reggio Emilia
Corso di laurea in infermieristica - Sede di Modena
| Thesis Title | Nursing management of anxiety in a patient undergoing heart surgery: review of the literature |
|---|---|
| Name | Giaramita Denise |
| Supervisor(s) | Panzera Nunzio |
| Academic Year | |
| Thesis type | Non research thesis |
Abstract
Patients waiting for heart surgery often experience feelings of anxiety, sometimes associated with fear, depression and uncertainty about the future.
A large number of scientific evidence has shown that high levels of anxiety can not only impede to face serenely the surgery, but also it can lead to different post-operative complications and increase the risk of occurrence of new cardiovascular problems.
The purpose of this thesis was, therefore, to identify the predominant characteristics that define this feeling and the short- and long-term effects it has on the patient, and verify how much and how the figure of the nurse can be helpful in providing the patient adequate psychological and emotional support, and through which instruments.
Through a revision of the literature and through a careful assessment of my personal experience of training at the Operative Unit of cardiac surgery, it emerged that various nursing interventions can effectively help the patient to deal with this path with greater confidence. Among these interventions the pre-operative education, family involvement, information, active and empathic listening, and an adequate and complete rehabilitation certainly represent the key elements for effective nursing care in order to significantly decrease levels of patient anxiety.
Finally, it’s possible to conclude saying that the establishment of a therapeutic relationship allows the patient to express his own feelings of anxiety and fear, his doubts and uncertainties and the nurse to provide all the information and tools they need to address the whole operative and rehabilitative path.