Respiratory status of adult patients in the postoperative period of thoracic or upper abdominal surgeries 1

OBJECTIVE to evaluate the respiratory status of postoperative adult patients by assessing the nursing outcome Respiratory Status. METHOD descriptive, cross-sectional study developed with 312 patients. Eighteen NOC indicators were assessed and rated using a Likert-scale questionnaire and definitions. Descriptive and correlative analysis were conducted. RESULTS the most compromised clinical indicators were coughing (65.5%), auscultated breath sounds (55%), and respiratory rate (51.3%). Factors associated with worse NOC ratings in specific clinical indicators were sex, age, pain, and general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS certain clinical indicators of respiratory status were more compromised than others in postoperative patients. Patient and context-related variables can affect the level of respiratory compromise.