Heart & lung : the journal of critical care
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The purpose of this study was to investigate patients' perceptions of the effectiveness of a pain management regimen, which consisted of intermittent prn bolus doses of morphine, in a critical care unit after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Overall, the majority of participants were reasonably satisfied with their pain experience. However, the following areas need improvement: the assessment and management of pain in relation to gender and age differences and the type of graft/s used; the administration of morphine before activity; and the communication of pain experience by patients.