To determine the relationship between the severity of thirst and the level of comfort in patients followed in the intensive care unit after surgery

Objective: To determine the relationship between the severity of thirst and the level of comfort in patients followed in the intensive care unit after surgery. Method: This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 225 patients who were followed up in the intensive care unit after surgery. The data of the research; Collected using the "Patient Information and Diagnosis Form", "Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS)", Thirst Severity Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)", "Perianesthesia Comfort Scale (PCI), "Intensive Care Oral Care Frequency Evaluation Scale (YBABSDS)", "Glaskow Coma Score (GCS)" and "Acute Physiological and Chronic Health Assessment (APACHE-II)". The thirst severity of the patients was evaluated while intubated in the intensive care unit, while the comfort level was measured after the patients were extubated and before they were discharged from the intensive care unit. The data of the study were analyzed with appropriate statistical analysis methods and interpreted at p<0.05 significance level. Results: 70.7% (n=159) of the patients were thirsty; and it was determined that 40.3% (n=64) of these patients expressed their thirst by raising their hands. The mean Thirst Severity VAS score of the patients was measured as 6.26±2.49 (Min.=0-Max.=10). It was determined that 76.6% (n=131) of the patients who felt thirsty moistened their lips with moist gauze to quench their thirst. It was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between the severity of thirst and comfort levels of the patients (p>0.05). Conclusion: Patients followed in the intensive care unit after surgery experience a moderately severe thirst. For this reason, developing and applying nursing care protocols for reducing the severity of thirst, which is considered a negative experience and experienced by patients in the intensive care unit, can increase comfort levels. Key words: Surgical intervention, nursing care, comfort level, thirst severity, intensive care unit