Experience of Patients with Acute Aortic Dissection Receiving Antihypertensive-complete Bed Rest Treatment and Nursing Support

The aim of this study was to clarify the experiences of patients who developed acute aortic dissection and received the treatment of antihypertensive–complete bed rest, to consider the necessary nursing support. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with 20 patients and were analyzed using a Grounded Theory Approach. The results suggested that the patients took the same course from the onset to the hearing of the disease accounts from the doctor. In analyzing the patients’ experiences of the treatment of antihypertensive-complete bed rest at the CCU,four patterns of experiences were identified. First pattern was in which patients “could keep the complete bed rest” because they tried to understand the disease and the treatment and eventually came to understanding. Second pattern was in which patients “could keep the complete bed rest by coming to terms with this situation” even though they were puzzled and anxious about the uncertainty of the future. They remembered the disease accounts by the doctor only in fragments and could not see the need for the hospital care. Third pattern was in which patients “could not keep the complete bed rest.” They were confused because they had little memory of the disease accounts by the doctor and could not understand their situation. Fourth pattern was in which patients “were placed on a ventilator” for they became severely ill. The results of this study indicate that acknowledgment of disease and treatment and self-efficacy may influence the patients’ adherence on keeping the complete bed rest. Therefore, patients need the support that would enhance their understanding of the disease and treatment and promote their self-efficacy.