Nursing pain management: a cross-sectional observational study

Abstract

Pain remains a critical and often underestimated issue in clinical practice despite existing guidelines and legislation. This cross-sectional study, conducted among 150 nurses from the AST of Ascoli Piceno, aimed to investigate nurses' knowledge and perceptions regarding pain assessment and management. Findings revealed limited participation in pain-related training (only 11.5%) and inconsistent use of standardized assessment scales, with 30% of nurses not using them at all. Most participants reported relying primarily on pharmacological interventions, and over 70% admitted to encountering difficulties in managing pain, primarily due to the absence of prescribed analgesic therapy. The study highlights the need for targeted educational initiatives, implementation of standardized protocols, and greater interdisciplinary collaboration. Strengthening pain management strategies is essential to ensure a holistic, patient-centered approach that aligns with current ethical and legal standards.