SELF-CARE IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION IN THE LIGHT OF DOROTHEA OREM: NURSES' CONTRIBUTIONS

Abstract

This article sought to analyze the behaviors that self-care provides and what the hypertensive patient can do to improve the effectiveness of the treatment in the light of Dorothea Orem. A qualitative analysis was carried out, in which virtual data were collected. For this purpose, Google Scholar, Virtual Health Library (VHL), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS), Nursing database (BDENF) and the Scientific Electronic Liberal Online (SciELO) journal directory were used. After associating all the descriptors, 43 articles were found, 28 were excluded and 15 articles were selected. The results of this study indicate that Orem's theory on self-care goes beyond drug treatment and includes understanding the disease and practices that contribute to its care, both physical and mental, and that should be implemented in nursing consultations. In addition, nurses should consider the way they communicate with patients, which, through Functional Health Literacy (FHL), can facilitate care and promote understanding and adherence to therapy. It is concluded that it is important for nurses to address self-care for patients with hypertension in nursing consultations, aiming to use clear and objective language about the disease.