Degree Name
Nursing Practice, DNP
Publication Date
2022
Upload Date
2024
Abstract
Several studies show that patients present with anxiety before surgical procedures. Preoperative anxiety may cause unwanted sympathetic nervous system (SNS) responses which can result in nervousness, anger, or sadness. Hypertension and tachycardia are often present, along with unwanted postoperative complications including increased pain perception and decreased patient satisfaction. Understanding that anxiety is both an emotional and physiological response, emphasizes the need to alleviate anxiety preoperatively (Aust et al., 2016). This Quality Improvement project aims to manage patient surgical expectations with cataract surgery through positive preoperative education. Patients were given written education and the opportunity to discuss the information before cataract surgery. The Surgical Fear Questionnaire (SFQ) and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) were administered to measure pre and postoperative anxiety. A convenience sample of 110 patients with ages from 44-88 of African American and Caucasian ethnicity found that positively communicated preoperative education improved patient outcomes. The preoperative and postoperative SFQ surveys were compared to determine improvement in anxiety and the pre and post-information were measured using the APAIS to determine improvement in education. Implementation of written education and positive communication decreased patient anxiety and is necessary for a good surgical experience.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Baltz, Virginia, "Decreasing Preoperative Anxiety in Cataract Patients" (2022). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 56.
https://arch.astate.edu/dnp-projects/56
