Information and knowledge of the personal caregiver of the cirrhotic patient

Abstract

The chronic character of the liver cirrhosis and its severe complications, including the patient inability to take care of himself, makes recommendable the availability of a caregiver living with the patient. This caregiver should be able to recognize the usual disorders associated to the cirrhosis. Additionally, an adequate information about the dietary habits and other recommended measures is mandatory for both the caregiver and patient to keep under control all the complications which appears once the illness has been diagnosed.The objective of the present study was to explore the knowledge of the cirrhotic patient’s caregiver regarding this illness. This was intended as a first step in order to develop education protocols that might reduce illness complications and the eventually avoidable hospital admissions. It also tried to explore and determine the fatigue of the personal caregiver in her role, as a diagnosis of the NANDA.We found a significant percentage of caregivers who were not aware of the relationship between constipation and encephalopaty as well as other data indicating insufficient education of the caregivers.

Keywords

• Cirrhosis
• caregiver
• knowledge
• nursing