Abstract
An acute confusional state in older patients after hip surgery is a common postoperative complication. The older patient’s experience of the confusional state is described as an oscillation between reality and unreality, without having control over the situation. The nursing actions and the care environment are of importance for the duration of the confusion. The aim of this study was to describe the nursing actions and the patient’s response to these actions on a postoperative unit. The study was based on six observations. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The following three categories emerged; disturbance that triggers a reaction and the patient’s behavior, how the staff interpreters and are respond and the patient’s response to the staff’s actions. The results show that patients expressed different kinds of need for care, needs that the staff by their actions made an effort to satisfy. It was observed how the nurses’ actions could lead to either satisfaction or dissatisfaction among patients. A conclusion that can be drawn is that the nursing environment has important implications for patients who suffer from acute confusion. The nursing care can, by observing and interpreting the patient’s verbal and non-verbal cues respond adequately. Human contact as a base for nursing care is a prerequisite for a good, supportive nursing environment in postoperative care. Reflection on how the patients experience the situation, is an important tool and for providing nursing care to older patients who suffer from acute confusion.
Date of Award | 2014-Feb-19 |
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Original language | Swedish |
Supervisor | Kerstin Blomqvist (Supervisor) & Anna-Karin Edberg (Examiner) |
Educational program
- Graduate Programme in specialist nursing - elderly care
University credits
- 15 HE credits
Swedish Standard Keywords
- Nursing (30305)
Keywords
- acute confusional state/delirium
- elderly
- patient
- postoperative care