NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS IN THE PREVENTION OF POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING: SCOPING REVIEW
NON-PHARMACOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS IN THE PREVENTION OF POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING: SCOPING REVIEW
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1595332520111
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Palavras-chave: náuseas e vómitos pós-operatórios; intervenções não farmacológicas; terapias complementares; enfermagem perioperatória.
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Keywords: postoperative nausea and vomiting; non-pharmacological interventions; complementary therapies; perioperative nursing.
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Abstract: Objective: To map and synthesize current scientific evidence on non-pharmacological nursing interventions used to prevent postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in adult surgical patients. Methods: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and adhered to the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The research question was formulated using the PCC mnemonic (Population, Concept, Context). Searches were conducted in CINAHL Complete and MEDLINE Complete databases via the EBSCOhost platform, covering the past ten years and including studies published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 13 studies were included for analysis. Results: The studies, encompassing randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and quasi-experimental designs, identified a broad range of effective non-pharmacological interventions. The main categories were aromatherapy with essential oils (ginger, lavender, peppermint, lemon), P6 (Neiguan) acupressure and related techniques, music therapy, and other complementary approaches, such as foot reflexology, controlled breathing, chewing gum, oral ginger intake, preoperative education, and family presence. These interventions demonstrated significant reductions in nausea intensity and vomiting frequency, decreased need for rescue antiemetics, improved patient comfort, and enhanced satisfaction with perioperative care. Conclusion: Non-pharmacological nursing interventions are safe, cost-effective, and clinically valuable strategies for the prevention and management of PONV. Their integration into perioperative protocols reinforces the nurse’s autonomous and evidence-based role, contributing to improved patient recovery, reduced pharmacological dependence, and the humanization of surgical care.
- Patrícia Pereira
- Maria de Fátima Segadães
- Cristina Barroso Pinto