Caspian nursing process: Impactions on new-onset constipations in admission, discharge, and follow-up of acute stroke patients

Background: Structural planning is essential for the management of constipation in stroke patients. The current study aims to determine the impact of a care plan on the frequency of new-onset constipation following stroke. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 132 stroke patients (two groups of 66) in three phases (pre-intervention, during discharge, 1 month after discharge). Clients were randomly assigned to blocks based on gender, type of stroke, and age. The care plan according to the nursing process was conducted. Data collection tools included a demographic-clinical information questionnaire, Rome IV criteria (diagnosis of constipation), and Bristol scale (consistency of stool). Data were analyzed using the Chi-square, McNemar, Wilcoxon, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and a general estimated model. Results: The prevalence of new-onset constipation following stroke in the control group decreased from 66 (100%) at admission to 39 (67.20%) at discharge and in the intervention group from 66 cases (100%) to 18 cases (34%) (p = 0.001), but it was not significant at follow-up (p = 0.16). The trend of frequency of constipation from admission to follow-up was generally significant in the intervention group (p = 0.03) vs the control group (p = 0.21). The difference in the mean number of cases of constipation was statistically significant (2.89) 2.10) control group vs 1.58 (1.65) intervention group, p < 0.001). Conclusions: A significant impact of the care plan was observed from admission to discharge, but further follow-up was required with more client-side collaboration. Therefore, the present care plan is recommended in the hospital and home care.