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Updated: May 9, 2026

An Experimental Paradigm for the Prediction of Post-Operative Pain (PPOP)
Published on: January 27, 2010
An exploratory study of patient preferences for pain management during intravenous insertion: maybe we should sweat
Francesca C Levitt1, Mary Ziemba-Davis
1St. Vincent Hospital Indianapolis, 2001 West 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260, USA. fclevitt@stvincent.org
Abstract:
The purpose of this exploratory study was to add to the body of knowledge about patient preferences for pain management during intravenous (IV) insertion. A convenience sample of 30 patients who were scheduled to undergo surgical or nonsurgical procedures requiring an IV catheter were given a choice among intradermal lidocaine, guided imagery, or no pain control strategy. Only four participants chose no pain management strategy, the traditional standard of care. Most (86.6%) desired a pain control strategy. Mean pain ratings on IV insertion were very low for all the three groups, although pain was significantly lower in the intradermal lidocaine group. This study illustrates that patients have preferences for pain control during IV insertion and believe that they should be involved in decisions about pain management.
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