Symptom management strategies of Jordanian patients following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

The aim of this study was to explore the symptom management strategies utilized by post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients and its associations with demographic variables. A clear understanding of the use of symptom management strategies following CABG surgery may help nurses in developing educational program and interventions that help patients and their families during recovery period after discharge. A cross-sectional, descriptive design was utilized. A convenience sample of 100 Jordanian patients post CABG surgery selected from five hospitals was surveyed between November 2012 and June 2013 using the Cardiac Symptom Survey. Chi squared analyses were used to examine the associations between the symptoms management strategies and selected demographic variables. Frequency of symptom management strategies utilized by post CABG patients revealed that most frequently employed strategies were use of medications (79%), repositioning (54%) and the rest (45%). Symptom management strategies utilized for poor appetite, sleeping problem and fatigue had significant associations with demographic variables. By providing information about the symptoms expected after surgery and possible ways to manage them, will strengthen the patients psychologically and will make CABG experience within the realm of self-management and coping.

Symptoms Experienced by Jordanian Men and Women After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery experience a wide spectrum of physical and psychological symptoms after surgery. Studies have shown that symptoms usually decline over time; however, some can persist up to months after discharge. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to assess symptoms experienced by patients after CABG surgery and any associations with demographic variables. METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 100 Jordanian post-CABG surgery patients was selected from 5 hospitals in Jordan. Patients were surveyed using the Cardiac Symptom Survey. To examine the associations between the symptoms experienced and selected demographic variables, χ(2) analyses were used. RESULTS: Chest incisional pain (65%) was the most frequently perceived symptom by the participants. Leg swelling (60%) was also reported by a nearly equivalent number of respondents. Symptoms like fluttering (15%), angina (8%), and depression (3%) were reported by a handful of participants. Three symptoms (poor appetite, sleeping problem, and fatigue) had significant associations with demographic variables. DISCUSSION: The identification of frequently perceived symptoms among post-CABG patients enables health care providers to focus their assessments in identifying and alleviating them. The demographic associations identified facilitate nurses to forecast certain specific symptoms in targeted populations, like women are more prone to experience poor appetite and sleeping difficulties and strengthen these groups with strategies to prevent themselves from these distressing symptoms.