A Quasi Experimental Study to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Selected Nursing Interventions (Steam Inhalation, Deep Breathing Exercises and Ambulation) in Terms of Physiological Parameters and Selected Post-operative Outcomes among Patients Undergoing Abdominal Surgery in Selected Hospital of Delhi, India
Introduction & Background of the Study: Surgery is one of the unique experiences for the individual. There is an increased demand of oxygen to the cells of the body during this period. Patients may have some impairment of respiratory functions after surgery. If it is not treated earlier it may lead to development of respiratory complications such as hypostatic pneumonia, atelectasis, and respiratory failure. In post operative period patient has a greater risk of alteration in the physiological parameters. Postoperatively 30% patients experience alteration in physiological parameters. Documentation of vital signs aids management decisions, indicating the physiological derangement of a patient and dictating treatment. Physiological parameters monitoring in the perioperative period for moderate- and high-risk surgical patients can improve postoperative outcome. Steam inhalation Deep breathing, coughing exercises and ambulation helps in oxygenation of the tissues However improvement in physiological parameters and post-operative outcomes delivered the overall quality of care. Aim: The study is to assess the effectiveness of selected nursing interventions (steam inhalation, deep breathing exercises and ambulation) regarding post-operative outcomes in terms of physiological parameters (temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure, pain) and selected post-operative outcomes (presence of cough, presence of bowel sounds, passage of flatus, passage of stool, amount of nasogastric tube aspiration, amount of abdominal drainage, activities of daily living, oral feeding, day of foleys catheter removal and days of hospital stay) among abdominal surgery patients. Material & Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test control group research design was adopted on 60 patients by using purposive sampling technique. 30 patients for control group and 30 patients for experimental group. A self-prepared observation checklist was used before and after implementation of nursing interventions to assess the physiological parameters and selected post-operative outcomes. Conclusion: It was concluded that physiological parameters were more stable and better results were observed in terms of post-operative outcomes in the experimental group than the control group.