Pain and anxiety with burn dressing changes: patient self-report

• Published in: Journal of burn care & rehabilitation Vol. 21; no. 2; p. 155
• Main Authors: Weinberg, K, Birdsall, C, Vail, D, Marano, M A, Petrone, S J, Mansour, E H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-03-2000
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Analysis of Variance; Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - psychology; Bandages; Burn Units; Burns - complications; Burns - psychology; Burns - therapy; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Pain - etiology; Pain - psychology; Pain Measurement; Pain Threshold; Patient Participation; Prognosis; Sampling Studies; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0273-8481

Pain and anxiety are integral parts of burn dressing care. Descriptions of pain and anxiety from the patients' perspectives enhance our understanding of their experiences. This descriptive study measured relationships between self-reported pain and anxiety. Twenty-four patients who had an uncomplicated flame or scald wound reported scores immediately before, immediately after, and 1/2 hour after dressing changes. Results indicated that pain and anxiety increased until day 4. Pain correlated with anxiety. Self-report scores showed that pain and anxiety are perceived by patients in a similar manner. Self-report scores are of great value because they indicate the degree of relief achieved with medication. Through the descriptive study, we found that the pain score immediately after dressing changes was greater than 3 on all study days. This finding indicates a need to further examine the way pain is managed with dressing changes.