Abstract
OBJECTIVES: to develop and validate a booklet with care guidelines for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. METHODS: methodological research developed in four stages: situational assessment -interviews with 24 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in the last half of 2019; theoretical procedure - literature analysis; experimental procedure - booklet development; and analytical procedure - content and appearance validity using the Delphi technique. Descriptive statistics, Content Validity Index measurement, and Cronbach's alpha Wilcoxon test were used for analysis. RESULTS: the booklet provides guidance for all phases of surgery and home care. The Content Validity Index was 94.6%. Modifications were made to the images and text were adapted, based on judges' suggestions. CONCLUSIONS: the booklet provides guidance for people undergoing cardiac surgery and their caregivers. Its content and appearance demonstrate evidence of validity for use by this target audience.