How Effective Are Nursing Interventions in the Pain Reduction among Patients in the Hospital Setting - Literature review Example

The importance of assessing pain is also crucial to effective pain relief which was discussed by these authors as a necessary part of the patient’s care. Nursing interventions relating to pain management must also focus on independent nursing interventions which the nurse can apply even without consulting with specialists. Training and improved knowledge and awareness in pain management was also highlighted by these authors.

Pain is one of the common medical issues and symptoms were patients encounter. This pain may be acute or chronic; they may also be mild, moderate or severe. Regardless of duration or intensity, pain often affects patients physically, mentally, and emotionally (Maclellan, 2004). Managing such pain can therefore be a significant help to these patients, helping improve the quality of their lives and reducing the stress and anxiety which can arise from the pain experience (Maclellan, 2004). Pain management is primarily carried out with the use of pharmacological remedies, however, non-pharmacological remedies have also been recommended for these patients.

The nurses in this case are usually the primary healthcare professionals managing patients because nurses are assigned to patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They carry out doctor’s orders, including pharmacological interventions and remedies, as well as implement independent nursing interventions (Manias, et.al., 2005). These nurses administer due pain medications and sometimes may refer the patients for increased dosage and frequency of pain medications. The observation of these patients before, during, and after the administration of powerful opioids is also incumbent upon the nurses who are obligated to note possible adverse reactions to the medications and possible unstable vital signs before, during, and after the administration of the opioids. The implementation of non-pharmacological nursing interventions is also part of the duties of the nurses.  These interventions may include music therapies, guided imagery, simple massage, and other related interventions.