Comparison of burned patients' perception of pain with nurses' perception of patients' pain

• Main Author: Walkenstein, Merri Diane
• Format: Others
• Published: VCU Scholars Compass 1980
• Subjects: Nursing
• Online Access: https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/5615; https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6708&context=etd

Pain is a universal experience. Caring for people in pain is a central aspect of nursing practice. Many studies have been done to determine the physical and psychosocial mechanisms of the pain sensation, in addition to methods of relief. Very little has been done, however, dealing specifically with the pain experienced by the burned patient. People hospitalized with thermal injuries complain most often of the intensity and long duration of their pain experience. Due to the large number of persons sustaining thermal injuries every year, it is apparent that nurses must familiarize themselves with methods of evaluation and intervention to reduce or eliminate pain. More importantly, they must be aware of how they are perceiving the burned patient's pain at any given time, and whether this is congruent with the patient's perception of his or her pain.