Neuroscience Nurses' Perceptions of the Barriers to Identifying and Treating Pain in Acutely Brain-Injured Adult Patients

Kimberly A. Iannotti, Rhode Island College

Abstract

Pain management for the critically ill adult can be daunting. Numerous factors contribute to this challenging process including altered level of consciousness (LOC), inability to speak, life support measures, family input, level of sedation, paralyzing agents, restraints, cognitive impairment, and numerous other factors. The current practice related to pain management in the neurologically critically ill adult patient population is limited by inadequate pain scales, altered neurological status, and atypical pain-associated behaviors. Additionally, nurses are challenged by unclear practice guidelines. The critical care nurse is required to assess and manage pain, as well as implement specific interventions based on the patient’s exhibiting characteristics or behaviors. The purpose of this study was to explore the neuroscience nurses’ perception of the barriers to identifying and treating pain in the acutely brain-injured adult patient. Participants were registered nurses working on a Neurocritical Care Unit. The methodology included two short answer questions and 15 Likert format questions rating the frequency of specific barriers. Nurses reported declining neurological status and subjective assessment tools as the most frequently seen barriers to pain assessment and management. Development of pain assessment measures in the brain-injured acutely ill adult patient continues to be important. The need for nurse-driven research to explore alternate measures to identify pain in the neurological patient is indicated. Implications for advanced practice are discussed.