The Intensive Care Unit is considered a stressful environment, which influences the patient's
recovery making it slower, and besides, the stressors can worsen the hospitalization once they
cause discomfort making the patient more vulnerable. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze
the publications available in databases that discuss the stressors encountered in Intensive Care
Units. We conducted a literature review using the LILACS databases, using as descriptors
Nursing, Intensive Care Unit and Stressors; complete articles in Portuguese, published
between 2002-2012. The refinement resulted in nine (09) publications. In these were
identified the following stressors: equipment noises, constant lighting, low temperature, lack
of privacy, the loneliness, the pain, even the hospital staff, the fact of being connected to pipes
and drains, the absence of family, loss of autonomy, among others, that eventually interfere
with the patient's recovery. Given the constant changes and advancements in the ICU, we
found that hospitalization despite the need for greater care, the use of more sophisticated
equipment and a more direct professional look to the patient with ongoing support, causes
greater stress and limitation to the patient. Therefore, the identification of stressors enable
better interventions by the health care team, especially nurses, to alleviate the stressors of
ICU. We conclude that, to alleviate the stressors, the professionals involved in critical patients
care should reflect on the importance of listening to the patient and answering their questions
whenever possible, as well as knowing their needs and cultural significance attributed to the
ICU, in order to, replan the assistance and promote a more humane environment, which
attends to the needs of the patient individually.
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