Critical-Care Nurses' Pain Experiences and the Prognostic Factors.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the emergence of pain in critical-care nurses and the prognostic risk factors.

DESIGN

This study is a cross-sectional descriptive research.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS: This study was conducted with the participation of 111 critical-care nurses in Zonguldak province, Turkey.

INTERVENTIONS: The data were collected using a survey form and the Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire between August and November 2015. The data were evaluated using frequency, average, Pearson correlation analysis, χ, logistic regression, and odds ratio tests.

RESULTS

The critical-care nurses were found to experience pain mostly in their lower backs (88.3%), upper backs (77.5%), right (76.6%) and left (78.4%) feet, necks (73.9%), and most infrequently in the right (28.8%) and left (28.8%) lower arms. Changing bed linens while the patient remained in bed and lifting, pulling, or pushing heavy materials caused those nurses who felt despondent and tired to feel significant pain in the shoulder, neck, upper arm, wrist, and knee (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results were significant for placing emphasis on maintaining body mechanics while caring for patients, providing appropriate environmental conditions, and ensuring ergonomics to preserve the health of critical-care nurses who work in hospitals.