An examination of stressors in the patient undergoing cardiac electrophysiologic studies

This study was undertaken to (1) identify stressors that medically treated patients who undergo cardiac electrophysiologic studies (EPS) experience from the points of view of patients and the staff nurses who care for them, (2) compare patients' and nurses' perceptions of such stressors, and (3) evaluate a tool developed by the investigator, the EPS Stressor Scale. Stressors were measured by scores on a scale from one to five. Demographic and health-related information was also obtained from patient subjects. The sample comprised 28 patients receiving EPS and 13 nurses. In general, illness-related stressors were most stressful to both patient and nurse subjects, whereas hospital-related stressors were least stressful. Patient and nurse subjects rank ordered stressors similarly; however, t tests revealed significant differences between patients' and nurses' mean stress scores on stressors. The EPS Stressor Scale appears to be a useful tool in evaluating the stress experienced by patients undergoing EPS; however, this tool will need to be validated in different groups of these patients. Implications for nursing practice are also discussed.