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Updated: Aug 12, 2026
06:04
Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex
Published on: July 4, 2018
Do respiratory patients receive adequate analgesia?
1Glenfield General Hospital, Leicester.
Nursing Standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)
|February 8, 2000
Summary
Healthcare professionals
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Respiratory Physiology
Background:
- Inadequate pain relief is a common issue for hospitalized patients.
- Fear of respiratory depression often limits analgesic administration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on the impact of optimal analgesia doses on respiratory function in hospitalized patients.
- To investigate the influence of healthcare professionals' beliefs on pain management practices.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review.
- Analysis of studies examining analgesic efficacy and respiratory side effects.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests optimal analgesic doses are often withheld due to unfounded fears of respiratory compromise.
- Patient-reported pain levels remain high in many cases.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare professionals' beliefs regarding respiratory risks of analgesia may lead to under-treatment of pain.
- Revisiting current pain management protocols is essential to ensure adequate pain relief for hospitalized patients.
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