Intensive Care Nurses’ Experience of Pain Management in Adult Patients Who are Mechanically Ventilated

OBJECTIVES: Pain is a prevalent symptom among intensive care unit (ICU) patients, particularly those undergoing mechanical ventilation. Beyond pain associated with the underlying condition, additional sources such as tracheal suctioning, chest tube placement, body repositioning, and frequent coughing may contribute. However, mechanically ventilated patients are generally unable to self-report pain, relying on nursing staff to assess and manage their discomfort. This study aimed to explore the experiences of ICU nurses in managing pain for adult patients who are mechanically ventilated. METHODS: This qualitative exploratory study employed semi-structured interviews with ICU nurses at a hospital in Hangzhou, China. Data analysis utilized Colaizzi's seven-step method. FINDINGS: The participants were 20 ICU nurses (16 female, 4 male) with an average of 8.8 years of experience in the ICU. Four major themes and 13 subthemes emerged from ICU nurses' experiences in managing pain in adult patients who are mechanically ventilated. These themes included "pain assessment," "team collaboration," "procedural pain management," and "family involvement." CONCLUSIONS: Effective pain management for adult patients who are mechanically ventilated is critical. Nurses must focus on comprehensive pain assessment, selecting appropriate pain scales tailored to patient characteristics, enhancing knowledge and coping strategies for procedural pain, and fostering collaboration between healthcare teams in developing pain management plans. Additionally, family involvement is essential for accurate pain assessment and effective management.