Approaches taken by nurses in treating postoperative pain [Postoperatif aǧri ve hemşirelik uygulamalari]

Abstract

Objectives: Surgery is recognized as an important cause of pain. Expression of pain differs according to age, developmental stage, previous pain experiences, and other modifying environmental factors. The degree of postoperative pain should be reduced using different techniques, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological. This study aimed to determine the effects of various actions taken by nurses for the purpose of pain management. Methods: One hundred eighty-nine nurses working in the surgical ward were included in this study. A questionnaire was used to investigate demographic data and the actions taken by the nurses in the study group to alleviate pain. Results: The results showed that 146 of 189 nurses (77.2%) administered analgesic medication more often than employing other techniques for pain management. Conclusion: The other applications in pain management included patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), massage, visual analog scale (VAS), and teaching relaxation techniques, helping with mobilization, and assessing vital signs.