Significance: Pain after surgery is an important aspect of post-surgical recovery. Pain influences a patient’s compliance with the recovery process and influences their holistic health. There are numerous factors that influence this concept but further research is needed to see if pain is adequately being managed and whether there are differences in responses based on age. This research will increase the nurses’ ability to assess and adequately treat pain. Framework: The framework for this study is based on the relationship between age and pain intensity. Orlando’s Nursing Process Theory will guide this study by assisting us to better identify a patient’s needs and therefore provide better healthcare. Both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions such as morphine administration will be considered and controlled. Variables such as gender and type of surgery will also be controlled due to their influence on both pain intensity and interventions. Method: A secondary analysis of a subset of a larger, primary study will be conducted. The sample will include 280 general and colorectal patients who were enrolled in the primary study. After obtaining informed consent, patient data related to the surgical procedure, age, gender, pain intensity levels, pain medications and non-pharmacological interventions related to pain were abstracted from the medical record. Pain intensities were assessed clinically using a verbal 0-10 scale and were recorded by the nurse caring for the patient in the medical record. In the primary study, patients completed a satisfaction survey. However, those results will not be included in this study. IRB approval will be obtained for the secondary analysis. Result: Regression analysis will be conducted using pain intensity at chosen points for the dependent variable. Independent variables will include age, gender, type of surgery, morphine equivalencies per body surface area, and non-pharmacologic interventions.
Session #1222 - Undergraduate Submissions
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)