DIMENSIONS OF PAIN AND ANALGESIC ADMINISTRATION ASSOCIATED WITH CORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS-GRAFTING IN AN AUSTRALIAN INTENSIVE-CARE UNIT

This descriptive correlation study evaluated the pain intensity, pain distress and morphine consumption in patients recovering from coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery in an Australian intensive care unit (ICU) and compared patients' pain intensity ratings with ratings of the nursing staff. Forty-three patients and their attending nurses rated patients' pain intensity and pain distress levels at 8-hourly i ntervals throughout their stay in ICU. A maximum of five assessments w as obtained in the first 48 post-operative hours from patients and the ir nurses. Pain intensity and pain distress were measured using separa te 10-point numerical rating scales (NRS). Patients' worst pain intens ity scores increased over time in ICU; the amount of opioids they rece ived was small and decreased over time. Significant differences occurr ed between patients' and nurses' average pain intensity scores at each time point and, except for worst pain intensity measures at the first assessment, nurses consistently underestimated patients' pain. These results indicate that patients in ICU following CABG can experience co nsiderable pain, which is not always relieved, The application of regu lar systematic pain assessment and improved communication, together wi th the administration of adequate pain relief are necessary if nurses are to manage patients' pain effectively.