Introduction:

COVID-19 disease severity can range from mild to severe illness with prolonged stay in intensive care units which can have respiratory, motor, and cognitive consequences, in this way it is important to understand the role of the rehabilitation nurse in the recovery of the critical patient.

Methodology:

this case study complies with CASE Report guidelines. This is a 67 year old male hospitalized in internal medicine ward, in a COVID-19 dedicated area, with the diagnoses of COVID-19 pneumonia. The focus of attention was selfcare, muscular strength, balance, walking, ventilation, and swallowing. An intervention plan was designed according to main problems and it was implemented according to the person´s evolution and subsequently the main outcomes were reassessed.

Results:

After five days of intervention, according to different evaluated scales patient improved: Barthel from 5 to 65; from 8 to 3; FiO2 from 35% to 21%; Tinetti from 0/0 to 11/9; Medical Research Council Muscle Scale (MRC) from 2 to 4; and gugging swallowing screen (GUSS) from 5 to 8.

Discussion:

the case study highlights the need and importance to implement a plan suitable for each patient, based on safety criteria and progressing according to the patient´s tolerance.

Conclusion:

with rehabilitation nurse interventions it is possible to reduce the consequences resulting from intensive care unit hospitalization.

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