Therapeutic mobilization as nursing care: evidence from practice

Abstract

The objective of this observational and descriptive study was to identify the behavior of relative parameters related to pulmonary mechanics of critical patients undergoing mechanic ventilation, after the nursing staff performed the technical procedure of decubitus position change. The accessible population, by non-probabilistic sampling, consisted of nine critical patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and their respective parameters related to pulmonary mechanics. Positive and negative alterations in pulmonary mechanics in all patients were identified, correlating with different positions, possibly associated with the change in decubitus position. In conclusion, clinical assessment is essential in nursing care regarding decubitus position change, because pulmonary mechanics may change according to the patient's position in bed, and may result in negative consequences.