Submit a one-page, double-spaced paper addressing the following points:
Identify your chosen research topic
Create at least one problem statement to go along with your chosen research area
Identify your research question/s
Explain the significance of the research topic to nursing
A topic that has interested me over the years has been pain management which is a complex issue that involves balancing treatment for pain and the risks of misuse and opioid abuse, leading to the opioid abuse crisis. Nurses play a vital role in addressing this issue by identifying patients with an opioid addiction and facilitating in alleviating chronic pain (Samarkandi, 2018). Opioids are prescribed to treat pain conditions such as back pain, however chronic use of these medications can lead to complications such as addiction, tolerance and dependence (Samarkandi, 2018). Nurses are able to help their patients cope with the pain by offering alternative treatments and therapies such as nonpharmacologic approaches including exercising and physical therapy. Acute pain that is not managed effectively can lead to psychological and social issues for the patient and may develop chronic pain syndrome (Samarkandi, 2018).
What is the importance of pain management in nursing and how can nursing interventions decrease misuse and addiction to curb the rapidly evolving opioid abuse crisis?
Nurses have an ethical responsibility to relieve pain and the suffering it causes while providing individualized nursing interventions to each patient encountered in order to improve pain management and avoid the opioid crisis.
References
Samarkandi O. A. (2018). Knowledge and attitudes of nurses toward pain management. Saudi journal of anaesthesia, 12(2), 220–226. https://doi.org/10.4103/sja.SJA_587_17
