OBJECTIVES: To identify defining characteristics of fear and anxiety during the immediate preoperative period in patient scheduled for gynecological surgery, and to diagnose preoperative anxiety syndrome. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study with 50 patients from the gynecological unit of the São Paulo hospital. Data was collected in May 2007. RESULTS: Preoperative anxiety syndrome was diagnosed in 48 of the participants (96.0%). CONCLUSION: Participants had clinical symptoms leading to the diagnosis of preoperative anxiety syndrome.
Nursing Diagnosis; Fear; Anxiety; Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; Intraoperative Period
