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Updated: May 30, 2026

Objective Nociceptive Assessment in Ventilated ICU Patients: A Feasibility Study Using Pupillometry and the Nociceptive Flexion Reflex
Published on: July 4, 2018
The importance of assessing symptoms and symptom clusters in critical care units
Karen H Sousa1, Carrie M McDermott, Jason Weiss
1College of Nursing, University of Colorado, 13120 East 19th Ave, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. karen.sousa@ucdenver.edu
Abstract:
In the highly technological environment of critical care, a comprehensive symptom assessment from the patient's perspective is routine. There is a paucity of research related to symptom management in the critical care environment. The lack of understanding of the symptom experience for critical care patients could represent missed opportunities to manage symptoms and minimize suffering. This article discusses the importance of assessing symptoms and symptom clusters in critical care patients and challenges surrounding the assessment of symptom clusters. By understanding symptom clusters, critical care nurses can develop more comprehensive assessments, as well as more tailored intervention strategies.
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