Nursing approaches for pain diagnosis and classification of outcomes^*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Nurses, as members of the health team, have to play their role to control pain, and are accountable for diagnostic evaluation, intervention and monitoring of treatment outcomes. This study aimed at identifying nursing students' approaches on interventions as from pain nursing diagnosis, according to taxonomy II of the North American Nursing Diagnosis Association and the association of nursing outcomes regarding interventions.

METHODS:

This is a transversal and quantitative study using as tool a clinical case. Studied sample was made up of 60 nursing students in the last graduation period. The research was carried out in two Public Universities, both in the state of Pernambuco.

RESULTS:

From the evaluated sample, most students (69%) have not presented interventions for the clinical case. From 31% presenting interventions, only 58% have presented expected outcomes, according to Nursing Outcomes Classification based on planned interventions. It is worth stressing the large number of students (42%) who have not performed the Nursing Outcomes Classification.

CONCLUSION:

Based on the results of this research, it is necessary a reflection about painful patients' evaluation, as well as about nursing approaches needed to solve or minimize such problem. One should add to this research the lack of qualification of future professionals and the need to change posture with regard to technical-scientific knowledge required by the profession.

Nursing care; Nursing diagnosis; Pain