Effect of Water Drinking on the Changes in Blood Pressure after Spinal Surgery in the Elderly

척추수술 후 수분섭취중재가 노인의 혈압변화에 미치는 효과

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of drinking water on the change in blood pressure after spinal surgery. Methods: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent control group, pretest and posttest design was employed. Subjects were consisted of 40 elderly patients who underwent spine surgery (20 in the experimental group, 20 in the control group). Data were collected from May 9th to September 30th, 2013. The experimental design involved patients drinking 400 mL of water in 5 mins after surgery and the blood pressure was measured in a standing position following the first 30 minutes after surgery. Control group received the same treatment and care as experimental group, except for the water intake. Data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 19.0 for $x^2-test$, t-test and independent t-test. Results: Experimental group with water intake demonstrated a significant higher level of systolic blood pressure compared to the control group (t=9.065, p=.005), but showed a non-significant level of diastolic blood pressure. Conclusion: This study indicates that water intake can be utilized as a useful nursing intervention to monitor changes in systolic blood pressure in elderly patients after spinal surgery.