PULSE OXIMETRY IN TRIAGING CONGENITAL CARDIOPATHIES: THE NURSE’S KNOWLEDGE AND ROLE

Abstract

Pulse oximetry in the neonatal units is presented as a process for triaging serious congenital cardiopathies. The study aims to assess the level of information, and the work, of the nurses in pulse oximetry undertaken on the newborns in a public maternity unit in the municipality of João Pessoa, Paraíba. It is a descriptive study with a quanti-qualitative approach, undertaken with 13 staff nurses through the use of a semistructured interview in January – March 2015. The results showed that the majority of the nurses have knowledge regarding the ‘little heart test’ (teste do coraçãozinho), the rationale for undertaking it, and the normal parameters for oxygen saturation, as well as the conducts to be taken in the event of a result outside these parameters. However, 84.6% mentioned difficulties in implementing it due to having to alter the routine of the nursing care. It is believed that the little heart test for triaging congenital cardiopathies brings good results in the early identification of these malformations.

Keywords

• Nursing
• Cardiopathies
• Pulse oximetry