AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY ON PROBLEMS OF PATIENTS WITH LOWER LIMB FRACTURE UNDERGONE SURGERY WITH A VIEW TO IDENTIFY THE NURSING CARE NEEDS IN SELECTED HOSPITAL OF DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND

Aims: To identify the problems and nursing care needs of patients with lower limb fracture undergone surgery and to find out the association between problems and selected socio-demographic profile.

Materials and Methods: A quantitative research approach with explorative research design was used for the study. Total 53 participants were selected by purposive sampling technique in the orthopaedic ward of Himalayan hospital, Jollygrant, Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Data was collected by using self reporting checklist and observational checklist.

Results: The statistical finding shows that in the post- operative day 1-2, (73.5%) of the patients had moderate problems and (26.41%) of the participants had severe problem followed by in day 3-6, (88.67%) of the participants had moderate problem and (11.32%) of the participants had severe problems and in day 7-8, (75.4%) of the participants had moderate problem and (24.52%) of the participants had mild problem and Nursing care need were management of pain, monitoring of sleeping pattern, helping in changing position, assistance in range of motion exercise, monitoring of surgical site. There is not significant association between problems and selected demographic profile.

Conclusion: The study concluded that patient with lower limb fracture undergone surgery had problem  related to pain, immobility, lack of hygiene, sleep disturbance and lack of information which was increased in day 1-2 but reduced as the post operative day increased.