Journal of advanced nursing
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To examine descriptors used by nurses in two Canadian intensive care units to document pain presence for critically ill patients unable to self-report. ⋯ Inconsistent or ambiguous documentation was problematic in this sample. This may reflect confounding behaviours and concomitant safety priorities. Developing a lexicon of pain assessment descriptors of critically ill patients unable to self-report for use in combination with valid and reliable measures may improve documentation facilitating appropriate analgesic management. Protocols or unit guidelines that prioritize a trial of analgesia before administration of sedatives may decrease decisional uncertainty when patients exhibit ambiguous behaviours such as agitation or restlessness.
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This article is a report of a Norwegian-revised study on the effectiveness of a follow-up multidisciplinary management programme for chronic pain to investigate the change processes associated with treatment. ⋯ These results are consistent with the ultimate goal of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approaches, which is to help patients with chronic pain to cope more effectively and to improve their health-related quality of life and functioning. To maintain treatment improvements and advance nursing, there is a clear need for research that tests the efficacy of follow-up interventions that are designed to prevent drop out and relapse.
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To investigate the possible influence of gender and anaesthesia type on anxiety prior to day surgery. ⋯ Anxiety was experienced by the majority of participants but was more prevalent amongst general anaesthesia and female patients. For general anaesthesia patients, a comprehensive level of information may be required a number of weeks prior to surgery and gender differences associated with the preoperative wait may require greater consideration.