Nursing diagnoses in patients with morbid obesity

Abstract

Background: The identification of nursing diagnoses in patients with morbid obesity contributes to the planning of interventions, through a systematized and scientifically grounded care. This study aimed to identify nursing diagnoses in morbidly obese patients treated in outpatient care using the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP®), version 2.0.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study, with a quantitative approach, carried out through the application of an instrument based on Orem’s Self-Care Theory. The sample consisted of 31 patients treated at the gastroenterology outpatient unit of a university hospital in the city of Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil.

Results: One identified 12 nursing diagnoses, standing out: impaired adaptation (90.3%); impaired socialization (67.7%); adherence to the physical exercise regime (58.4%); impaired sleep pattern (58.4%); functional dyspnea (58.1%); and adherence to the medication regime (51.6%).

Conclusions: Knowing the nursing diagnoses of people with morbid obesity undergoing outpatient care allows nurses to plan the individual care provided to this clientele, and contribute to the development and maintenance of self-care abilities. One hopes this study can contribute to the development of scientific practices in the process of caring for patients with morbid obesity, in order to encourage and improve the production of further researches addressing nursing care in this growing practice field.