[Gestures and postures of nurses during the orientation of families of patients in intensive care]

Abstract

This study was done to evaluate nurses postures and gestures when patient and family orientation was being done in an Intensive Care Unit. Data were colected using filming of nurse, patient and family interaction. Gestures were classified as by Ekman and Friesen. It was seen predominance of ilustrative gestures, wich was positive, as those types of gestures reinforce the object of the nurse talk and enhance comprehension by families.