Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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This study was conducted to assess the patterns and clinical correlates of acute pain in brain injury patients during the critical care period using the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT). Data were collected from 31 brain-injury patients admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital located in Incheon, Republic of Korea. Glasgow Coma Scale and CPOT scores were assessed on days 1, 3, 6, 9, and 14 after ICU admission. ⋯ There was also a nonsignificant trend of higher pain intensity scores among patients with moderate brain injury compared with those with severe injury. CPOT scores immediately after endotracheal suctioning were significantly higher than before endotracheal suctioning, but CPOT scores 20 minutes after suctioning were similar to those before suctioning. The present study may be meaningful in terms of presenting valid clinical information regarding the patterns and characteristics of acute pain in brain injury patients who are often unable to self-report on the presence and intensity of pain.
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Observational Study
Adherence to guidelines of pain assessment and intervention in internal medicine wards.
Proper management of pain reduces morbidity, assists in recovery, and increases patient satisfaction. The role of a nurse in an accurate pain evaluation is pivotal. It seems that pain evaluation guidelines are not fully adhered to by nurses. ⋯ The independent factors associated with the reduced performance of pain evaluation were: widower (odds ratio [OR] 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.98; p = .024), reduced level of consicousnness (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63-0.95; p = .013), mental disorders as a cause of hospitalization (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.71-0.94; p = .004), and isolation (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99; p = .03). Pain assessment and management in internal medicine wards is insufficient, especially in the above subgroups. Specific education programs targeted to the latter subgroups and to the unique pain assessment tools are warranted.
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The results of several studies suggest that gaps remain in nurses' knowledge about pain in children, and particularly regarding pain assessment, analgesic drugs, and nondrug methods, suggesting a need to explore the pain content of preregistration nursing curricula. Over the past decade, the way nurse education is delivered has changed with the advent of the internet and the use of virtual learning environments. This study, therefore, explored the depth and breadth of pain content in 3-year preregistration pediatric nursing courses across the U. ⋯ There appears to be limited content on pain in nursing curricula, with several institutions not covering key topics. Most teaching is delivered face to face with limited workbooks and virtual learning activities. Further research is needed in this area to ascertain the impact of this on the quality of care provided.
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Nurses play an important role in managing children's pain. The nurse's accurate assessment, appropriate intervention, and evaluation of pain relief measures are necessary for positive patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge and attitudes of pediatric nurses regarding the child's pain. ⋯ The total mean score on the PNKAS scale was 38.2%. The highest score was 65%, and the lowest score 15%. The findings of the survey show that pediatric nurses in Turkey have insufficient knowledge regarding pain management and could benefit from additional education on that issue.
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Enlisted women are an essential subpopulation within the United States (U. S.) Armed Services, yet little is known about their chronic pain experiences. The purpose of this study was to describe veteran enlisted women's chronic pain experiences, both while on active duty and since active duty ended. ⋯ Chronic pain eventually leads to discharge or retirement when they can no longer do their job. Health care providers must understand both U. S. military culture and enlisted women's strategies concerning pain if they are to accurately diagnose and sufficiently treat enlisted women in pain.