OBJECTIVE: To evaluate simple and safe strategies to mitigate thirst in the immediate postoperative period (IPO). METHODS: A quantitative, experimental, cross sectional study with a sample of 90 patients. Those who presented with thirst were divided randomly into two groups: water or ice. RESULTS: 96 (75%) reported thirst. The preoperative fasting period varied from 8 to 37 hours, and there was no association between the type of anesthesia, bleeding, fasting time and thirst. The intensity of initial thirst was 5.1 for the water group, and 6.1 for the ice group. The methods tested were effective in relieving thirst in the IPO. The ice group had a final intensity of 1.51, as compared to 2.33 in the water group. Two (2.2%) patients experienced vomiting during the study. CONCLUSION: Thirst is a real discomfort and causes great suffering in the patient. This study indicated viable and safe strategies to manage thirst in the IPO.
Thirst; Perioperative nursing; Recovery room
