Pain and anxiety during burn dressing changes: concordance between patients' and nurses' ratings and relation to

M E Geisser1, H G Bingham, M E Robinson

  • 1University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.

Few studies have examined the various factors related to pain during burn dressing changes. Patients' and nurses' ratings of pain and tension were obtained during 107 burn dressing changes among 11 burned patients. As found in previous studies, there was little concordance between nurses' and patients' ratings. Both nurses' and patients' ratings of pain were positively related to amount of analgesic medications administered, whereas amounts were inversely related to patients' reports of pain in a subsample of dressing changes in which anxiolytics were administered. However, these relationships failed to reach statistical significance. Multiple regression analyses revealed that ratings of tension during the procedure were significantly related to overall and worst pain, whereas amount of analgesics and anxiolytics given, postburn day, and total body surface area were not. Exploratory correlations suggested that ability to accurately discriminate between painful episodes, social desirability, and trait anxiety may be factors that significantly influence self-report of pain and might be worthwhile to study more systematically in the future. Implications for burn pain control and suggestions for future research are presented.

Related Concept Videos

SBAR II: Application of SBAR01:14

SBAR II: Application of SBAR

SBAR is an effective communication tool used by healthcare professionals to communicate patient information accurately. SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation. For a better understanding, an example is given below.
SBAR Report from a Nurse to a Health Care Provider
S: "Hello, Dr. Smith. This is Jane, RN, from the Med Surg unit. I am calling to tell you about Ms. White in Room 210, who is experiencing increased pain and redness at her incision site. Her recent...
Guidelines for Nursing Documentation II01:26

Guidelines for Nursing Documentation II

Effective documentation is an integral part of nursing practice. Here are some essential guidelines to follow when documenting patient care:
Timely documentation is crucial to ensure continuity of care for patients. Any delays in recording or reporting medical information can result in medical errors and even adverse patient outcomes. From medication administration to diagnostic test results, every detail must be accurately and promptly documented to provide the best possible care for patients.
Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management01:25

Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management

Pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, necessitates diligent nursing management to ensure effective patient care and recovery. The initial step in managing pericarditis is a comprehensive patient medical assessment.The patient reports chest pain aggravated by breathing, coughing, and swallowing, which worsens when lying supine. The pain often improves when sitting up and leaning forward. Additional symptoms may include fever, malaise, and, in severe cases, signs of heart failure.
Angina V: Nursing Management01:20

Angina V: Nursing Management

Angina, a symptom of myocardial ischemia, requires a structured nursing management approach to ensure effective care and prevent complications like myocardial infarction. Comprehensive nursing care involves assessing, diagnosing, planning, implementing interventions, and evaluating outcomes, all tailored to the individual patient's needs.Patient AssessmentNursing assessment begins with a detailed subjective evaluation of symptoms, which typically include chest pain or pressure radiating to the...
Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management01:26

Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management

The nursing management of a patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD) begins with a thorough assessment of the patient’s health history and clinical manifestations.AssessmentHealth History: Evaluate the patient’s history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history of cardiovascular issues, and lifestyle factors such as dietary patterns, smoking, and physical activity.Physical Examination:Assess the affected extremity for decreased or absent peripheral pulses, temperature changes,...
Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management01:23

Peripheral Artery Disease V: Postoperative Nursing Management

During the postoperative period, it is crucial to focus on maintaining circulation, identifying and managing potential complications, and planning for discharge.Nursing AssessmentVital signs monitoring: Regularly monitor vital signs, including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature, to detect early signs of complications such as bleeding and infection.Circulation assessment: Monitor pulses, perform Doppler assessments, and check capillary refill, color, temperature, and...