title: [Alzheimer's disease and care needs: what do nurses know?].
abstract: The aim of this study is to show what nurses from hospitalization units know about Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the demands of care for patients and their families. This is a descriptive and exploratory study with a qualitative approach. The data were collected through semistructured interviews. Data saturation occurred after interviewing eleven nurses in two private hospitals. Six categories emerged from the content analysis: AD characterization, risk factors, ways to diagnose, complications, treatment medication, patient and family care. It was observed that nurses have partial knowledge regarding AD, focusing their care actions only on the clinical change that caused admission. They recognize signs and symptoms but only show themselves as supporting assistants, instead of acting more autonomously in dealing with care needs and family support.
authors: Associação Brasileira de Alzheimer, Enfermeira da Clínica Lar do Idoso Bela Vista, Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Poltroniere
authors: Fátima Helena
authors: FH
authors: Cecchetto
authors: Emiliane Nogueira
authors: EN
authors: de Souza
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001938:Brazil; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006744:Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; D006743:Hospital Bed Capacity, under 100; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009732:Nursing Care; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors