Knowledge and Practices of Intensive Care Unit Nurses Regarding Pain Assessment and Pain Management Among Critically Ill Patients

Nasra  Shabbir; Mansoor  Ghani; Samina  Kausar; Muhammad Shabbir  Khan; Muhammad Asad  Mehdi

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v6i9.1994

Authors

Nasra Shabbir Institute of Nursing, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan
Mansoor Ghani Department of Bio-Chemistry, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan
Samina Kausar Institute of Nursing, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan
Muhammad Shabbir Khan Principal Arcturus College of Nursing, Narowal, Pakistan
Muhammad Asad Mehdi Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v6i9.1994

Keywords:

Pain assessment, Pain management, Intensive care unit, Nurses, Knowledge, Practices

Abstract

Practical pain assessment and management are critical components of intensive care, directly influencing recovery outcomes in critically ill patients. Despite the availability of validated tools, such as the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) and Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS), evidence suggests inconsistent utilization by intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, especially in resource-constrained settings like Pakistan. This study aimed to evaluate ICU nurses' knowledge and practices in pain assessment and management for critically ill patients. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 245 ICU nurses across five public and private hospitals in Lahore and Multan, Pakistan. Participants were selected through non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire comprising demographic variables, knowledge-related items (7 domains), and practice-related items (15 domains). Knowledge and practice were scored and categorized as poor, average, or good. Descriptive statistics, including frequencies and percentages, were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: Of the 245 nurses, 75.1% were female, and the majority (50.2%) belonged to the 31–35 years age group. Educationally, 45.3% held a Generic BSN degree, while only 2% had an MSN. Nearly 58% had 2–5 years of ICU experience. The mean knowledge score was 4.46 ± 1.29 (range 1–7); only 24.1% demonstrated good knowledge, 52.7% had average knowledge, and 23.3% had poor knowledge. The mean practice score was 8.59 ± 2.10 (range 1–15); 18.8% demonstrated good practices, 65.3% had average practices, and 15.9% had poor practices. Significant gaps were identified in documentation (only 44.9% recorded pain monitoring) and in the use of standardized tools for non-communicative patients (54.7%). Conclusion: The findings reveal that while ICU nurses possess a moderate understanding of pain assessment and management, significant deficiencies persist in both knowledge and practice, particularly in documentation and the utilization of standardized tools. Targeted educational interventions, the integration of pain management modules into nursing curricula, and institutional policies mandating the consistent use of validated assessment tools are urgently needed to strengthen ICU nurses' competencies. Such measures could enhance patient outcomes and align clinical practice with international standards of critical care.

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