The nursing process returned to the hydrocephal carrier: case study in the north region

Family members are essential in the care and development of the life of a child with hydrocephalus, which requires attention, affec- tion, love, patience and special care as to hygiene, food, transporta- tion, medication, comfort and safety measures, cognitive develop- ment and social interaction, and all the basic care for the promotion and maintenance of the quality of life. However, this is a permanent condition, and the family will eventually adapt, thus offering the care the child requires. This research had the objective of evaluating, through basic human needs, the care provided by the family to a patient with Hydrocephalus, analyzing the socio-economic profile of the family, describing the difficulties encountered by the family in daily care of the patient with hydrocephalus and evaluating the affected human needs. We opted for a descriptive study with a qual- itative approach, case study type, with a carrier of congenital hydro- cephalus and the parents at home, relying on the basic human needs theory of Wanda de Aguiar Horta (1979). The survey was conducted in the city of Nova Brasilândia D’Oeste- RO, in January and Febru- ary of 2012. For the data collection used to prepare the case study, we devised a questionnaire consisting of 21 descriptive and objec- tive questions that was answered by the mother in the home envi- ronment, and a framework of basic human needs, which was ana- lyzed according to the care provided to the child. It was concluded that the care provided by the family is the basic care needed to meet all needs, such as nutrition, hydration, and intimate and personal hy- giene, clothing, transportation, administration of medications, aid and encouragement in the development of lifelong learning and so- cial interaction. The difficulties encountered were related to finan- cial resources to carry out the surgical procedures for the installation and reinstallation of the shunt valve, funds for medication and phys- ical therapy, the main difficulty reported by parents was the need of having a teacher focused on facilitating the learning process of the child, since the child presents great difficulties in learning develop- ment. Based on the conclusion, it has been suggested that the family be offered support from the NASF, Family Health Support Unit and the PSF, Family Health Program (PSF), to improve the quality of life of the family and, especially, of the child with hydrocephalus