Pain management nursing : official journal of the American Society of Pain Management Nurses
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Observational Study
The Algoplus Score to Assess Acute Postoperative pain in Elderly patients-A Pilot Observational Study.
Standard verbal or analogue scales may not be accurate to assess acute postoperative pain in elderly patients. This study was designed to field test the Algoplus tool, developed specifically for this population and based on observation of patient behavior. Prospective, observational cohort. ⋯ When the NRS score exceeded 3/10, indicating the need for analgesic intervention, the Algoplus score was generally lower than the recommended trigger for analgesia (2/5). These results are promising, but further evidence of a clinical benefit to the use of Algoplus for acute postoperative pain is needed. In future studies, scoring should be adjusted to take into account the time from extubation, the state of sedation, and the patient's gender in order to interpret results.
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Observational Study
Parental Analgesic Knowledge and Decision Making for Children With and Without Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy.
Tonsillectomy is a common and painful procedure often indicated for children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who are at risk for opioid-related toxicity. Whether parents whose children have OSA understand the risks of opioids is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine whether parents whose children have OSA have greater opioid risk understanding and would be less likely to give an opioid to a child exhibiting oversedation compared to parents whose children do not have OSA. ⋯ Similar amounts of opioids were given at home. OSA did not predict parents' opioid decisions; however, around-the-clock instruction predicted greater opioid use at home. Parents whose children had OSA had a similar understanding of opioid-related oversedation compared to other parents, and half would give a prescribed opioid when signs of oversedation were present, suggesting a need for improved understanding and recognition of this sign of toxicity, and of what to do should this symptom present.
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To provide effective care for chronic pain sufferers, nurses must have a knowledge of chronic pain management. In Quebec, nurses working in Family Medicine Groups (FMGs) could play a major role in helping patients with chronic noncancer pain (CNCP); however, the extent of their knowledge about CNCP management is unknown. The primary goal of this study was to explore the knowledge and beliefs of FMG nurses about CNCP management. ⋯ FMG nurses have suboptimal knowledge about CNCP management. They identify their lack of training and lack of knowledge as major obstacles to conducting pain management interventions. There is a need for pain management training specifically designed around the realities of FMG nursing.