Nursing diagnosis risk of infection in patients in the postoperative period: a cross-sectional study

Aim: To compare the risk factors associated with the nursing diagnosis risk of infection in patients during the postoperative period, according to the taxonomy of NANDA-I, with factors present in patients with established infection. Method: an analytical, cross-sectional study with 80 patients in the postoperative period. Results: risk factors: inadequate primary defense (ruptured skin and invasive procedures), smoking and inadequate secondary defense by the suppressed inflammatory response were statistically significant in patients at risk of infection. In the group of patients with an established infection, there was a positive association for inadequate primary defense (ruptured skin and invasive procedures) and decreased hemoglobin. Discussion: for an overall assessment of the predictive factors for infection, an integrated multifactorial analysis, including the whole perioperative period is required. Conclusion: inadequate primary defense for invasive procedures and ruptured skin and decreased hemoglobin were factors associated with both the risk and for the presence of infection.