Nurses' attitudes and practices in sickle cell pain management

Professional objectivity should be the primary focus of patient care. Healt h care professionals are at times reluctant to give opioids out of fear tha t patients may become addicted, which would result in the undertreatment of pain. The influence of nurses' attitudes on the management of sickle cell pain was studied. The variables of age, education, area of practice, and ye ars of active experience were considered. Of the respondents, 63% believed addiction was prevalent, and 30% were hesitant to administer high-dose opio ids. Study findings suggest that nurses would benefit from additional educa tion on sickle cell disease, pain assessment and management, and addiction. Educational recommendations are discussed. Copyright (C) 2001 by W.B. Saun ders Company.