Brain death and care in maintaining the potential of organ and tissue transplant donors

Authors

  • Izaura Luzia Silvério Freire Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte image/svg+xml
  • Ana Elza Oliveira de Mendonça Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte image/svg+xml
  • Vamilson Oliveira de Pontes Hospital Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel
  • Quinídia Lúcia D. A. Q. Vasconcelos Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte image/svg+xml
  • Gilson de Vasconcelos Torres Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5216/ree.v14i4.14598

Keywords:

Nursing, Brain Death, Transplantation, Intensive Care Units.

Abstract

This is an exploratory-descriptive study performed using a quantitative approach and prospective data, with the objective to identify the knowledge of nursing professionals regarding brain death (BD) and maintaining the Potential Donor (PD). The study population consisted of 55 nursing professionals, mostly nursing technicians (74.5%); 78.2% reported having worked with PDs and 50.9% stated being prepared to take care of those patients. Among the conditions considered indispensible to open a BD protocol, 49.1% made a wrong statement of body temperature above 36ºC. Regarding the management of hydroelectrolytic disorders, 50.9% made a wrong choice concerning the reposition of sodium, potassium and magnesium. Regarding cornea care, 58.2% made a wrong decision about the protection using gauzes. Furthermore, 52.7% made the correct statement that the PD can be reanimated. It was observed that the subjects had insufficient knowledge regarding the diagnosis of BD and PD maintenance, thus requiring education on the topic in order to increase the offer of organs/tissue for transplants.

Descriptors: Nursing; Brain Death; Transplantation; Intensive Care Units.

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Author Biographies

  • Izaura Luzia Silvério Freire, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte

    Enfermeira. Doutoranda do programa de Pós-Graduação em Enfermagem da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN). Professora Mestre da Escola de Enfermagem da UFRN. Membro do Grupo de Pesquisa Incubadora de Procedimentos de Enfermagem. E-mail: izaurafreire@hotmail.com


  • Ana Elza Oliveira de Mendonça, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
    Enfermeira, Mestre em Enfermagem. Discente do Programa de PGENF/UFRN, nível Doutorado. Professora Assistente da UFRN. Natal, RN, Brasil. E-mail: a.elza@uol.com.br.
  • Vamilson Oliveira de Pontes, Hospital Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel
    Enfermeiro. Enfermeiro do Hospital Monsenhor Walfredo Gurgel. Natal, RN, Brasil. E-mail: vamilsonpontes@gmail.com.
  • Quinídia Lúcia D. A. Q. Vasconcelos, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
    Acadêmica do curso de graduação em Enfermagem da UFRN. Natal, RN, Brasil. E-mail: quinidia@hotmail.com.
  • Gilson de Vasconcelos Torres, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte
    Enfermeiro, Doutor em Enfermagem Fundamental. Professor Titular da UFRN. Natal, RN, Brasil. E-mail: gvt@ufrnet.br.

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Published

2012-12-31

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 4 (2012)

Section

Original Article