The study aimed at identifying the nursing diagnoses related to the psychological and social aspects of elderly patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, according to the Adaptation Theory of Calista Roy. It was developed in a cardiology unit in a hospital in Fortaleza, CE, from January to July, 2005. A semi-structured interview was used, with 18 elderly patients, in pre-catheterization period. The analysis identified the nursing diagnoses: alteration in the maintenance of the health, anxiety, fear and alteration in the family process. The nursing actions were: to create a trust climate for the aged before the exam; to listen and to respect feelings faiths and referring values to the situation; to guide the patient with relationships to the procedure. The use of this theory, allowed in recognizing that patients, by means of incentives, can unchain answers some positive times other negative times, fitting to the nurse to act as mediator.
Heart Catheterization; Nursing theory; Social values; Adaptation, psychological
