Management of Thirst, Nursing Care, Postoperative Care

Also, it is aimed to evaluate validity and reliability of "Safety Protocol for Management Thirst in the Immediate Postoperative Period Protocol" which is used to take oral water and ice of patients in the immediate postoperative period, as administrative. The study was conducted with 150 patients who are transferred to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) after their operation and met study criteria. Patients divided into three groups as the study (water group=50, ice group=50) and control (n=50). Patients in the study group were performed oral water/ice popsicle after their accession to PACU. However, the control group patients have performed rutin treatment and care without any other intervention. Physiologic variables and symptoms with thirst were followed in every three group patients at certain times. Data were evaluated by using NCSS (Number Cruncher Statistical System) 2007 program.

Inclusion criteria

• have a surgical operation other than gastrointestinal system surgery,
• Surgical fasting duration is at least 8 hours,
• According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification; Class I, II and III;
• Having the ability to express the thirst status verbally and experiencing moderate or severe thirst when the thirst status is evaluated by VAS,
• The duration of anesthesia is longer than 1 hour and accepted into the PACU after surgery.

Exclusion criteria

• have a second surgical intervention during hospitalization,
• The need of intensive care after surgery,
• Having problems in the process of separation from respiratory support after surgical intervention,
• A change in the state of consciousness after surgical intervention / acute confusion,
• Liquid electrolyte imbalance,
• Patients with difficulty in swallowing or restriction of oral fluid intake,