OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify stress-producing factors of hospitalized patients hospitalized in a coronary care unit. METHODS: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 43 patients. The stressors were assessed with a four-point Likert scale, which evaluated stress intensity for 42 possible stressors, ranging from 1 (not stressful) to 4 (very stressful). RESULTS: In general, the average score for the items was 1.71, characterizing them between not stressful and little stressful according to the patients' perception. The most stressful factors were: feeling pain, not being able to sleep, missing one's husband/wife, seeing one's family just a few minutes and not being able to move one's arms. CONCLUSION: These results can help in the planning of nursing care.
Stress; Nursing care; Intensive care unit; Cardiovascular diseases
