Abstract:
The endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation produce a greater
discomfort for critical surgical patients than for others patients who were extubated
within the immediately postoperative period. Various factors related to discomfort
during endotracheal tube and mechanical ventilation.
This descriptive research purposes to examine the factors related to
discomfort during oroendotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. The
sample comprised 85 critical surgical patients, aged 18 years old and older, and
oroendotracheal intubated at least 18 hours. They were admitted to the surgical ICUs
and wards of the four hospitals: Siriraj, Rajavithi, Phramongkutklao, and Bhumibol
Adulyadej. The instrument for collecting data was the questionnaire consisting of
four parts: 1) demographic data; 2) difficulty in communication; 3) oral cavity injury;
and 4) discomfort. Data were collected within 72 hours after extubation during June
to October, 2006. Demographic data were analyzed by descriptive statistics. The
selected factors were analyzed by Chi-square test and Pearson’s Product Moment
Correlation.
The findings revealed that approximately half of the sample was over 60
years old (51.8%) and male (57.6%). Abdominal surgery was predominant (80%).
The entire sample perceived discomfort. The mean score of discomfort was 66.8
(SD=25.9). Age, gender, and oroendotracheal tube experience were not correlated
with discomfort (r=-0.035, p<0.05; χ2=0.193, p=0.66; χ2=1.964, p=0.161,
respectively). Pain of oral cavity injury and difficulty in communication were
positively correlated with discomfort during oroendotracheal intubation and
mechanical ventilation (r=0.451, P < 0.05; r=0.352, P < 0.05, respectively).
These findings suggest that postoperative critical patients could perceive
pain, difficulty in communication, and discomfort during oroendotracheal intubation
and mechanical ventilation. Nurses, therefore, should assess the intensity of pain,
difficulty in communication, and discomfort, as well as manage pain and promote
effective communication with oroendotracheal intubated patients for enhancing
comfort.