The present study aims to learn the health production logic in the ICU based on the discourse defended by nurses and on the professional practice that is recognized by the relatives accompanying the hospitalized patients. This is a qualitative and dialectic investigation performed with seven nurses and five relatives in an ICU for adults of a teaching hospital in Santa Catarina. The theoretical-philosophical referential was based on Marxist and Gramscians readings. The results show that the logic of the health production in the ICU is inserted in a dialectic rhythm of autonomy, dependence and co-responsibility for the care. We understand that this reality can demonstrate the need to rethink the knowledge and practices to promote the constant re-formularization and transformation of the assistant context of intensive care.
nursing; empathy; health-disease process; work