2021 Volume 31 Issue 2 Pages 69-79
〔Purpose〕This study aims to identify the clinical judgment of nurses that lead to providing assistance with daily life activities for patients with impaired consciousness hospitalized in intensive care units（ICU）.
〔Methods〕We conducted semi-structured interviews on clinical judgment for assisting in the daily life activities of patients. Participants were six nurses, and we analyzed the interview data using the qualitative integration method（the KJ method）.
〔Results〕The analysis yielded the following seven identifying themes: ‘Decision to provide assistance with daily life activities: assessing the need for and feasibility of care for patients from their situation’; ‘Assessing the need for care in patients with impaired consciousness: Using objective information collected by observing the patients from multiple perspectives’; ‘Understanding unconscious patients who cannot complain on their own: information collected from records and family members’; ‘Family members as advocates for patients and evaluators of the care: Reducing anxiety and building mutual trust’; ‘Maintaining motivation in the nursing：Thinking of patients without giving up continuing care, even with limitations’; ‘Nursing expertise and responsibility: Best efforts to assist daily life along with general care’; and ‘How to treat patients with impaired consciousness: Believe in their recovery and be interested in patients even if they do not respond’.
〔Conclusion〕The findings suggest that nurses have made appropriate clinical judgment in assisting daily life activities by evaluating and reflecting on the nursing, repeatedly.
