Patients' perceptions of uncertainty and stress during weaning from mechanical ventilation.
Weaning from mechanical ventilation is physiologically and psychologically stressful for patients. The critical care nurse is in an optimal position to reduce patients' stress during this process. The findings of this exploratory study suggest practice changes--based on patients' perspectives--that help reduce patients' feelings of uncertainty and stress as they are weaned from mechanical ventilation.
Wunderlich
R J
RJ
St. Louis University School of Nursing, USA. rwunder@siue.edu
Perry
A
A
Lavin
M A
MA
Katz
B
B
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology*; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*