Objective To gain a deep understanding of the real-world experiences of nurses for patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and to provide references for the clinical practice of thirst management in this patient population. Methods A phenomenological research method was adopted. Semi-structured face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 intensive care unit nurses engaged in the care of post-pancreaticoduodenectomy patients.Colaizzi′s seven-step analysis method was applied to extract the themes. Results A total of 4 themes and 9 sub-themes were identified: limitations in cognition, environment and behavior (limited professional knowledge and skills，insufficient systematic attention to thirst care, over-reliance on experience and lack of active learning); emotional experiences and ethical dilemmas (empathy, sense of powerlessness, gap between ethical principles and clinical reality); dilemmas in clinical practice of thirst care (need for enhanced medical-nursing collaboration, standardized nursing protocols need to be established, shortage of clinically appropriate assessment tools and thirst-relieving interventions). Expectations for the application of artificial intelligence in thirst management. Conclusion On the basis of the recent evidence on thirst management, nursing administrators should carry out localized training to improve nurses′ theoretical knowledge and operational skills, attach importance to nurses′ emotional experiences, create a sound ethical atmosphere, strengthen team collaboration, conduct evidence-based practice, explore the feasibility of artificial intelligence in thirst management, promote the implementation of targeted thirst management measures, and ultimately enhance patients′ comfort level.