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Narcotic Dressing Methods

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Pain is the most predominant symptom experience after an injury and dressing changes only add to the pain. A method is required to decrease the amount of pain during a dressing change to help promote wound healing and increase hand function (Guo, Deng, & Yang, 2014). Some of the treatments we use presently in the hospital to decrease pain, such as analgesics, can cause “respiratory depression, decrease blood pressure and other side effects” (Guo et al., 2014, p.116). Another treatment used is a “narcotic dressing” which can significantly increase the cost of treatment. This study looks at the use of a nonpharmacological way of decreasing pain during a dressing change by the use of virtual reality distraction. The purpose of this research study …show more content…

The first dressing change series had a total of 98 patients that were separated randomly into two groups of 49 individuals each (Guo et al., 2014). Some of the criteria to be included in the study include: “serious hand injuries, debridement or suturing within 72 hours of injury, age greater than 18 years old, male or female, the ability to complete the scale and volunteer for the research” (Guo et al., 2014, p. 116). There was no major difference between the two groups, which means that the anxiety levels between them were comparable. The data was collected by using a visual analog scale, which compared the pain levels between the two groups before and after the dressing change. Both groups were subjected to three dressing changes. The experimental group was given equipment that used a realistic 3D film “Afanda” which was played 5 minutes prior to the completion of the dressing change, while the control group did not receive the virtual reality. The visual analog scale was recorded within 5 minutes of the dressing change (Guo et al., 2014). There are three different categories of pain: mild pain is less than three, moderate pain is between three and six, and severe pain which is more than six points. This pain assessment describes the pain based on the patient’s perspective (Pagare n.d.) “If a patient’s pain is five but decreases to three with an intervention, then the intervention measures are …show more content…

Guo et al.’s (2014) states that when analgesics are unavailable, this tool is convenient for nurses to use. There are many resources necessary to implement virtual reality distraction. The study used many devices including: a pair of ultra-high-resolution 3D glasses, headphones, mouse, computer and the 3D film (Guo et al., 2014). These resources may not be readily available in undeveloped Countries. They also may have a large cost that some hospitals may not be able to afford. This can be another limitation in regards to who is able to access the resource. In the future, knowing that a patient’s pain can be relieved by nonpharmacological means will help provide better care. Many patients do not like taking analgesics in fear that they will become addicted. This method may help alleviate the patients’ anxiety since the fear of addiction is not present if they are not taking analgesics. The institution that the patient is receiving care at may not have the resources needed for virtual reality. However, knowing that the pain is decreased with virtual reality distraction will allow nurses to adapt this method to what they have available. For example, allowing the patient to watch television, listen to music, or play a game on their mobile devise will help distract them during the dressing change.

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