Cuidados de enfermagem a um paciente alcoolista portador da síndrome de Wernicke-Korsakoff: estudo de caso

Introduction: wernicke-korsakoff syndrome (wks) is one of the most serious consequences of alcohol abuse. the cognitive impact of the pathology is derived from alcoholic neurotoxicity and thiamine deficiency, which can progress to stupor, coma and death. Objective: performing a case study regarding an alcoholic patient bearing the wks, and also designing a nursing care plan. Methods: it is a case study with a qualitative approach that assesses an alcoholic patient bearing the wks. The study was performed at the hospital universitario oswaldo cruz (huoc) in recife, brazil, over the period from february to march 2016. Results: we were able to identify 14 nursing diagnoses, as follows: chronic confusion/memory deficit/disturbed thought processes/ impaired verbal communication; impaired walking/risk of tumble down; self-care deficit; nutrition smaller than the needs/fatigue; excessive fluid volume/impaired tissue integrity; bleeding risk; impaired skin integrity; ineffective tissue perfusion. Conclusion: the nursing professionals have singular importance with regards to both the execution of health education actions as well as the alcoholics’ treatment, thus preventing the complications of the disease.