Orthopaedic nursing
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Orthopaedic nursing · Sep 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialThe use of guided imagery to manage pain in an elderly orthopaedic population.
The management of postoperative pain in elderly orthopaedic patients is critical for advancing patient outcomes and improving the use of healthcare resources. Adequate pain control without adverse side effects, such as confusion and sedation, is crucial to promote comfort and participation in rehabilitation therapies among all patients but particularly among elderly joint replacement patients. Without adequate pain control, physical therapy is delayed and the risk of complications increases. One area of investigation that holds promise for improved treatment outcomes involves the use of complementary therapies, such as guided imagery. ⋯ There is a critical need to incorporate the use of guided imagery and other complementary therapies into all nursing curricula. Nurses must develop expertise and be ready and able to act as patient educators and advocates in the use of these interventions in programs of care and institutional policy.