Date of Award
Fall 1977
Document Type
Thesis - Restricted
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Nursing
Abstract
The pain experience of coronary bypass surgery was explored through the use of descriptors developed by Melzack and related to nursing interventions as developed by McCaffery. Ten patients undergoing elective coronary bypass surgery were asked to relate and describe all pain or discomfort to the registered nurse. The nurses recorded all complaints of pain: the terminology used to describe the pain; the identified cause of the pain; and the nursing intervention used to relieve the pain. Results were analyzed in a descriptive manner using contingency tables. Many causes of pain were identified by patients, including the sternal incision, chest tubes, leg incision, general malaise, sore back, sore heels due to bedrest, oxygen mask, inability to sleep, tenseness, insertion of an intravenous needle, gas, sutures, IV heparin administration, dry mouth, and kinked shoulder muscles. Descriptors used by patients indicated that the overwhelming majority of complaints, regardless of etiology, indicated pain with sensory qualities. An analysis of the nursing interventions used to relieve patients' pain after coronary bypass surgery showed that nursing staff relied heavily on administration of analgesics to relieve pain. However, in many instances drug administration was used in conjunction with other interventions. The nursing principle guiding nursing actions to relieve pain used most often was that of altering the amount or pattern of stimuli through major sensory modalities. Nurses also appeared to be very sensitive to using what the patient believed would result in pain relief.
Recommended Citation
Schmeling, Peggy Lee, "Coronary Bypass Surgery : The Pain Experience and Nursing Intervention" (1977). Master's Theses (1922-2009) Access restricted to Marquette Campus. 3501.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/theses/3501