Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death worldwide, include cardiac rhythm disturbances. Pulseless ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation are also treated by implanting an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. This device is indispensable for the survival of patients with a dangerous cardiac rhythm disturbance, but patients often face a number of physical, psychological and emotional problems after the implantation of the device. Nurses provide health education to prepare the patients for a life with a cardioverter defibrillator. Purpose: The aim of this diploma thesis is to present, by means of a literature overview, the contents and approaches of the provision of health education to the patients who received a cardioverter defibrillator, in order to prepare them for a changed way of life. Methods of work: A descriptive method was applied, with an overview of the scientific and specialist literature in Slovenian and English. Databases searched include PudMed, CINAHL with full text, MEDLINE, ERIC and DiKUL web portal, as well as Google Scholar web browser. Results: The literature overview results suggest that the provision of health education to patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators is crucial. Patients who had received health education had fewer problems emotionally, physically and socially. It is important that during the health education process the nurse familiarises the patients with the device’s advantages, disadvantages and possible limitations, as well as with the life after the implantation of the device. To do this, the nurse uses a variety of health education approaches. The nurse addresses the following topics: wound observation and dressing, reacting to electric shocks, physical activity restrictions, electromagnetic radiation avoidance, sexual activity, car driving and travelling. Discussion and conclusion: By implementing planned health education, nurses can significantly improve the quality of life of patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators. The provision of information regarding the device itself and regarding living with the device reduces the risks and potential complications after the implantation of the device, such as the occurrence of depression, anxiety and stress. The nurse always adapts the health education process to the health literacy and health status of each individual patient, as this is the only way for the education to be effective. Apart from the nurse, other health professionals should be involved in the health education process, to ensure that the patients receive interdisciplinary healthcare.
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