NURSING CARE TO VICTIMS OF STROKE

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the nursing interventions for patients with stroke in the hospital setting. Material and Methods: This is a literature review on nursing care in the hospital setting to victims of stroke. The searches were performed in June 2014 in three electronic databases using the keywords: stroke, assistance, and nursing. We selected eight articles, published between 2008 and 2013, whose data were tabulated into a worksheet. Results: The results show that several factors interfere with nursing care in patients with stroke. The reduction of hospital stay, accompanied by an increase in the number of patient admissions, as well as reduced staff were the most relevant factors. The main nursing interventions were: motor and functional rehabilitation, drug administration, monitoring of physiological functions, patient discharge planning, emotional care, care for the prevention of complications and traumas, emergency screening, skin care, clinical and neurological evaluation, care related to self-care activities, urinary catheterization, nasal oxygen administration, oral care, correct positioning of the patient in bed, and family guidance. Conclusion: Despite the multiplicity of postulated interventions there are points of convergence reiterating the importance of continued care, strengthening the autonomy of the subject, and driving the search for theoretical and methodological frameworks to guide the assistance. DESCRIPTORS Stroke. Patient Care. Nursing.