Postoperative Pain Control

Pain control is the second nursing priority for Candace that needs attention. Women who undergo caesarean section experience high levels of pain during the first 24 hours post-operation (Acton, 2011). One study suggests that those women need more adequate pain relief than other surgical patients because women start to breastfeed and look after their infants while they are still recovering from major abdominal surgery (Shahraki, Jabalameli, & Ghaedi, 2012). Inadequate postoperative pain control during the postpartum period can affect a mother’s ability to breastfeed, interrupt normal development in neonates, eventually jeopardising the well-being of both mothers and newborns (Shahraki, Jabalameli, & Ghaedi, 2012). Moreover, immobility due to
The concept of person-centred care is highly aligned with notions of holism, which guide us to have an interaction with our environment, ourselves and our patients. Holism sees the whole of a person rather than only someone’s body parts and physiology (Patz, 2014). This means all aspects that can affect the patient’s health and well-being should be considered, and individual needs are to be identified in the care planning process for which nurses can provide adequate care and support for each unique person (Patz, 2014). This essay will demonstrate individualised nursing care provided to Candace. Three main issues regarding her situation will be identified through the holistic approach. Interventions and rationales based on the identified issues will be explored by utilising the Clinical Reasoning Cycle (Levett-Jones,
PACU nurses have a key role in detecting those changes. Failure to recognise and act on changes in patient’s condition can lead to critical complications (Durham & Chapman, 2013). Established care plans should be continually reviewed and modified during the postoperative period. Expected outcomes for each goal of care will provide measurable evidence to gauge the patient’s progress toward meeting stated goals. Appropriate pain management and provision of emotional support are significantly important because they have great influence on the patient’s progress after the surgery. Unmanaged pain can increase the patient’s anxiety, causing depression, which can increase the amount of required analgesics, decrease the immune system response which eventually can increased the risk of complications (Shahraki, Jabalameli, & Ghaedi, 2012). Establishing a good nurse-client relationship, active listening and using effective communication strategies contribute to reduced patient post-operative anxiety. Perioperative nurses should have expert knowledge not only about surgical procedures but also have the ability to see the whole person and consider all aspects which can affect the person, in order to provide high quality of care and support (Bailey,