This study aimed to identify and analyze situations involving the physical exposure and invasion of clients' privacy, which are inherent to ICU care. The population consisted of 15 adult ICU nurses in Maringá-PR, Brazil. The Critical Incident Technique was used (CIT), resulting in 30 reports, 15 of which were positive and 15 negative. From these, 22 positive and 30 negative critical incidents were extracted. These were compiled in 6 categories. We chose to present and to discuss the category Basic needs. The health team's behavior constituted 5 categories and the clients' behavior 3. Consequences for health team and clients corresponded to 4 categories. The results revealed that the nursing team is better prepared to handle problems related to care for basic needs; that team and clients disclose the same feelings; that privacy protection, respect, confidence and guidance guarantee the quality of care and that not protecting clients' intimacy impaired care quality.
privacy; nursing care; basic needs; intensive care units
