title: Postcardiotomy psychosis: indications and interventions.
abstract: Aberrant psychological behavior has become a frequent occurrence in the intensive care unit (ICU). In specifically considering postcardiotomy psychosis, health professionals puzzle whether the manifestations are motivated by physiological problems imposed by surgical considerations (cardiac status, pump perfusion) and/or by pre- and postoperative psychological factors. Current literature attempts to isolate elements which may predispose patients to develop these aberrant behaviors. This paper attempts to identify important areas and suggest concrete nursing interventions to decrease, delay, and assimilate these behaviors in the cardiotomy patient.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D003325:Coronary Care Units; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009461:Neurologic Manifestations; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012931:Social Environment