Comfort needs of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation in light of Kolcaba's theory: a qualitative study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29352/mill0227.40989Keywords:
patient comfort; nursing theory; nursing; critical care; artificial respirationAbstract
Introduction: The person in a critical condition under invasive mechanical ventilation is in a state of organ failure or imminent organ failure, requiring extremely invasive lifesaving therapies that compromise their comfort needs. This challenges nurses to engage in advanced nursing practice, based on a set of highly specialized and differentiated skills, in order to meet these needs.
Objective: Describe the comfort needs experienced by critically ill patients undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation
Methods: This is an exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study. Unstructured interviews were conducted with nine participants who underwent invasive mechanical ventilation in an Intensive Care Unit. Data analysis was carried out using Bardin’s Content Analysis method.
Results: The findings indicate that participants experience comfort needs in four contexts: physical, psychospiritual, environmental, and sociocultural. These needs include aspects such as self-care, hope, temperature regulation, economic and social responsibility, and interpersonal relationships with the healthcare team.
Conclusion: Comfort is considered an immediate state in which a person’s needs are met across these four contexts. Meeting comfort needs helps reduce anxiety and strengthens patient confidence.
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