Pain Assessment in Critically Ill Patients: Knowledge and Practice of Nurses in Emergency Room at Military Hospital Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Pain Assessment 1
Knowledge and practice towards pain assessment in critically ill patient among Nurses in
Emergency Room at Military Hospital Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
by
Course:
Tutor:
University:
Department:
Date:

Pain Assessment 2
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................3
1.1 Background of the Study..................................................................................................3
1.2 Problem Statement............................................................................................................3
1.3 Objective of the Study......................................................................................................4
1.4 Research Questions..........................................................................................................4
1.5 Significance of the Study..................................................................................................4
1.6 Limitations of the Study...................................................................................................5
1.7 Operational Definitions....................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE........................................................................6
2.1 Search Strategy.................................................................................................................6
2.2 Overview on Basic Life Support and Level of Knowledge of Basic Life Support among
Nurses.....................................................................................................................................6
CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................9
3.1 Research Design...............................................................................................................9
3.2 Setting of the Study..........................................................................................................9
3.3 Population.........................................................................................................................9
3.5 Sampling Criteria............................................................................................................10
3.6 Sample and Its Size........................................................................................................10
3.7 Variables.........................................................................................................................11
3.8 Instrument.......................................................................................................................11
3.9 Validity and Reliability..................................................................................................11
3.10 Pilot Study....................................................................................................................12
3.11 Data Collection Procedure............................................................................................12
3.12 Data Analysis................................................................................................................13
3.13 Ethical Considerations..................................................................................................13
CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS........................................................................................13
CHAPTER 5: DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION...........................................................13
References...............................................................................................................................14
Appendices..............................................................................................................................18
Appendix 1: Gantt Chart...................................................................................................18

Pain Assessment 3
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The International Association for the study of pain as defined pain as a hostile sensory and
passionate experience that is related to potential tissue injury (Loeser and Treede, 2008).
Pasero (2009) describes pain assessment as a necessary procedure which involves examining
the location and intensity of pain. The role of providing the most appropriate ease for
severely sick patients is an overall aim for doctors and nurses since pain is an experience that
makes a patient uncomfortable. Pain can be caused by already existing illness, invasive
procedures or distress (Arif-Rahu and Grap, 2010). Buttes et al. (2014) observe that pain
assessment is the initial step towards pain management, and is very significant in patient care.
The inadequate management of critical pain negatively affects the normal functioning of the
organ system, in addition to physical and psychological outcomes (Bennett and Hurford,
2011). Studies indicate that critically ill adult patients (CIAP) experience pain while in a
restful position and during usual care (Barr et al., 2013). The magnitude of CIAP is a
drawback to the efforts being made in the improvement of knowledge and technology aimed
at optimal pain assessment (Cogan, 2010). Based on the foregoing evidence, improved pain
assessment for acute pain is an essential aspect in addressing the needs of patients and
optimizing the possibility of recovery (Li et al., 2014). Therefore, evaluating Nurses
knowledge and practice of guidelines associated with acute pain assessment and management
is therefore fundamental to adequate pain relief.
1.2 Problem Statement
Severely sick patients often undergo average to extreme pain, and in instances of deadly
sickness, the alleviation of pain is overlooked, or at least not adequately esteemed by the
health care providers (Barr et al., 2013). Studies have pointed out that 64% of patients

Pain Assessment 4
remember having undergone pain and term it as the most stressful encounter during their
critical stay (Puntillo et al., 2009). Even though pain is a crucial issue in critical care settings,
the matter hasn’t sufficiently been researched by critical care nurses.
The hindrances faced by the nurses such as knowledge shortfalls about pain assessment,
failure to evaluate and appreciate the presence of pain, individual and social preference have
substantially contributed to inadequate pain evaluation among severely sick patients (Pasero
et al., 2009). Thomas (2008) found out that the incorrect pain assessment alongside the
outcomes of inadequate pain alleviation in critically ill adults causes grievous physiological
and psychological effect. However, there is limited literature on the nurses’ knowledge and
practices on pain assessment notwithstanding the increased awareness on the same (Pasero et
al., 2009). There exists no study focusing on the knowledge and practices of nurses in pain
assessment among critically ill in the Emergency Room at Military Hospital Makkah.
1.3 Objective of the Study
To explore the knowledge and practices of nurses in pain assessment for critically ill patients
in the Emergency Room at Military Hospital Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
1.4 Research Questions
1. What are the pain assessment practices among nurses caring for critically ill patients
in the Emergency Room at Military Hospital Makkah?
2. What is the level of knowledge related to pain assessment among nurses caring for
critically ill patients in the Emergency Room at Military Hospital Makkah?
1.5 Significance of the Study
The findings of this study will enable nurses to adequately assess the condition of the patients
and provide patient-centered care and thus minimize discomfort and improve the quality of
life.