Analysis of Nursing Diagnoses in Children Undergoing Cardiac Catheterization in a Pediatric Cardiology Unit

Background and Aims: Cardiac catheterization is a less intrusive treatment than surgery that is routinely utilized in patients with suspected heart disease for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It is frequently performed in hemodynamic units and operating rooms. Analyze nursing diagnoses in children who underwent cardiac catheterization in a pediatric cardiology unit in Belém, Pará. Methodology: Quantitative, descriptive, and documentary study based on the evaluation of 25 electronic medical records of patients undergoing cardiac catheterization admitted to the pediatric clinic of the Gaspar Vianna State Hospital Foundation (FPEHCGV). Special forms were used to collect data over a period of 30 days. Medical records of children aged between 0 and 12 years were selected, excluding ineligible records and those of patients older than the age defined as “child” by the Statute of Children and Adolescents. Results: In the analysis of pre-catheterization diagnoses, 13 main nursing diagnoses were found, subdivided into 7 groups of Basic Human Needs, namely: Safety/protection, Perception/cognition, Elimination/exchange, Comfort, Coping/tolerance, Health Promotion, and Activity/rest. Based on these same domains, 24 nursing diagnoses related to post-catheterization were identified, confirming the higher number of associated diagnoses due to the invasive nature of the procedure. Given the high risk associated with patient safety, the chances of complications and related infections are greater when related to pre-catheterization. Conclusion: It was possible to verify and identify the most prevalent nursing diagnoses in pre- and post-pediatric cardiac catheterization, with congenital heart disease as the underlying condition, considering its high incidence in Brazil. And, based on the Systematization of Nursing, the goal is to achieve the best results and prognoses within the five stages of the nursing process. This study affirms the practice of evidence-based nursing, contributing to the improvement of the systematization of care and favoring the accuracy of clinical analyses.