Coma and its impact on the process of being and living: implications for nursing care

Abstract

This is a hermeneutic phenomenological study based on the Van Manen’s framework, that aimed to distinguish the meanings of the experiences lived in the state of coma and its impact on the being and living process. It was developed with four participants, three males and one female. Based on the analysis of the information three themes were identified: the unexpected as reality; the singularity of the modified states of consciousness, and the transformation of the being and living process. The coma emerged as an unexpected and unique process, permeated by different and modified states of consciousness; and possibly the unconsciousness as a state of inner life; and having a great impact on the life process of the participants. Finally we addressed some implications for the nursing care.