Stressors in ICU: patients' evaluation

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 30, 2026

Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex

Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex

Published on: July 4, 2018

M A Novaes¹, A Aronovich, M B Ferraz

¹Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Centro de Terapia Intensiva, São Paulo, Brazil. novaes@ibm.net

Intensive Care Medicine

|February 21, 1998

Abstract

Objective:

To study the physical and psychological stressors in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to correlate stressors with different demographic variables.

Design:

Cross-sectional analytical survey.

Setting:

Intensive care unit of a private hospital.

Patients And Participants:

50 randomly selected ICU patients during the first week of their ICU stay.

Measurements And Results:

The Intensive Care Unit Environmental Stressor Scale was administered to 50 patients. Pain and the impossibility of sleeping due to noise and having tubes in the nose and mouth were considered the most important physical stressors. Loss of self control and lack of understanding about the attitudes and procedures were the main psychological stressors.

Conclusions:

Interventions should be aimed at relieving the patient's pain and at controlling the level of noise to make sleep possible. From the psychological standpoint, the independence of the patient should be encouraged, thus stimulating the recovery of self-control. The team should also inform the patient about the procedures which will be carried out.

More Related Videos

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...

Acute Coronary Syndrome V: Nursing Management

Acute Coronary Syndrome V: Nursing Management

Nursing Assessment:Nursing management of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) involves taking the patient's history, focusing on primary complaints such as chest pain, dyspnea, and excessive sweating (diaphoresis), as well as other symptoms like back or jaw pain, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, dizziness, and fatigue. The nurse also reviews the patient's history of cardiac events, risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, family history, and current medications.In the objective assessment,...

Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management

Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management

Pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, necessitates diligent nursing management to ensure effective patient care and recovery. The initial step in managing pericarditis is a comprehensive patient medical assessment.The patient reports chest pain aggravated by breathing, coughing, and swallowing, which worsens when lying supine. The pain often improves when sitting up and leaning forward. Additional symptoms may include fever, malaise, and, in severe cases, signs of heart failure.

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Acute Respiratory Failure-IV

Respiratory failure can manifest suddenly or gradually, characterized by a rapid decline in PaO2 and a rapid rise in PaCO2. This situation indicates a severe respiratory problem that may quickly become a life-threatening emergency. One of the early signs of hypoxemic Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) is a change in mental status due to the brain's sensitivity to oxygen levels and changes in acid-base balance. Symptoms such as restlessness, confusion, and agitation suggest inadequate oxygen...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Alopecia areata: a long-term follow-up study of 104 patients.

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·2019

Knowledge in schizophrenia: The Portuguese version of KAST (Knowledge About Schizophrenia Test) and analysis of social-demographic and clinical factors' influence.

Schizophrenia research·2015

Resource utilisation and cost of ankylosing spondylitis in Brazil.

Clinical and experimental rheumatology·2010

Predicted annual costs for inpatients with diabetes and foot ulcers in a developing country-a simulation of the current situation in Brazil.

Diabetic medicine : a journal of the British Diabetic Association·2010

[Diagnosis and therapeutical management offered to rheumatoid arthritis patients in Brazil--rheumatologists' answers from an assessment questionnaire].

Acta reumatologica portuguesa·2009

Double-lumen central venous catheters impregnated with chlorhexidine and silver sulfadiazine to prevent catheter colonisation in the intensive care unit setting: a prospective randomised study.

The Journal of hospital infection·2009

See all related articles