Nurses' Knowledge Regarding Immediate Postoperative Pain Management

Background: Postoperative pain is a very important issue for several patients. Indifferent of the surgery type or method, pain management is very necessary. The relief from suffering leads to early mobilization, less hospital stays, reduced hospital costs, and increased patient satisfaction. Nurses in all settings play a key role in the management of pain as experts in assessment, drug administration, and patient education. They are uniquely positioned to assume this role as the member of the health care team most consistently at the patient’s bedside. These characteristics have led to their distinction as the patient’s primary pain manager. Objectives: To assess nurses' knowledge regarding immediate postoperative pain management in surgical wards. To find out association between nurses' knowledge and their demographical data. Methods: A descriptive study is conducted to achieve the study objectives. It started from February 3rd, 2024 until May, 20th, 2024. A Non-Probability (Purposive Sample) of (50) nurses from the staff of Al-Imam Al-Hussein Medical City in Karbala, this type of sampling is used because it is appropriate for the purpose of the study, it include the nurses with an experience more than one year and acting as a Practitioner and provide direct bedside care for the patients. Data are collected through using of a well-designed questionnaire consist of two parts: Part I: Demographic characteristics: It was consisted of (9) items. And Part II: Nurses knowledge regarding pain management: It was consisted of (14) items. Results: The findings of the present study indicate that the overall assessment for nurses’ knowledge is poor. Also, there is a non- significant association (P>0.05) between the overall assessment of nurses’ knowledge and their demographic data. Conclusions: the study highlights significant deficits of knowledge regarding pain management among nurses working in surgical wards.