Nurses' understanding and experience of applying painful stimuli when assessing components of the Glasgow Coma Scale.
Glasgow Coma Scale
eye-opening response
motor response
neurological assessment
noxious painful stimuli
Journal
Journal of clinical nursing
ISSN: 1365-2702
Titre abrégé: J Clin Nurs
Pays: England
ID NLM: 9207302
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Nov 2019
Nov 2019
Historique:
received:
27
03
2019
revised:
26
06
2019
accepted:
30
06
2019
pubmed:
26
7
2019
medline:
25
12
2019
entrez:
26
7
2019
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
To evaluate nurses' application, understanding and experience of applying painful stimuli when assessing components of the Glasgow Coma Scale. The Glasgow Coma Scale has been subjected to much scrutiny and debate since its publication in 1974. However, criticism, confusion and misunderstandings in relation to the use of painful stimuli and its application remain. An absence of evidence-informed guidance on the use and duration of application of painful stimuli remains, with the potential to negatively impact on decision-making, delay responsiveness to neurological deterioration and result in adverse incidents. This international study used an online self-reported survey design to ascertain neuroscience nurses' perceptions and experiences around the application of painful stimuli as part of a GCS assessment (n = 273). The STROBE checklist was used. Data revealed varied practices and a sense of confusion from participants. Anatomical sites for the assessment of pain varied, but most respondents identified the trapezius grip/pinch in assessing eye-opening and motor responses. Most respondents identified they assess eye-opening and motor responses together and apply pain for <6 s to elicit a response. Witnessed complications secondary to applying a painful stimulus were varied and of concern. Neuroscience nurses in this study clearly required evidence-informed guidelines to underpin practice both in applying painful stimuli and in managing the experience of the person in their care and the family response. A standardised approach to education is necessary to ensure greater interrater reliability of assessment not only within nursing but across professions. Results of this study illustrate inconsistency and confusion when using the Glasgow Coma Scale in practice; this has the potential to compromise care. Clarity around the issues highlighted is necessary. Moreover, these results can inform future guidelines and education required for supporting nurses in practice.
Sections du résumé
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate nurses' application, understanding and experience of applying painful stimuli when assessing components of the Glasgow Coma Scale.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The Glasgow Coma Scale has been subjected to much scrutiny and debate since its publication in 1974. However, criticism, confusion and misunderstandings in relation to the use of painful stimuli and its application remain. An absence of evidence-informed guidance on the use and duration of application of painful stimuli remains, with the potential to negatively impact on decision-making, delay responsiveness to neurological deterioration and result in adverse incidents.
DESIGN AND METHODS
METHODS
This international study used an online self-reported survey design to ascertain neuroscience nurses' perceptions and experiences around the application of painful stimuli as part of a GCS assessment (n = 273). The STROBE checklist was used.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Data revealed varied practices and a sense of confusion from participants. Anatomical sites for the assessment of pain varied, but most respondents identified the trapezius grip/pinch in assessing eye-opening and motor responses. Most respondents identified they assess eye-opening and motor responses together and apply pain for <6 s to elicit a response. Witnessed complications secondary to applying a painful stimulus were varied and of concern.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Neuroscience nurses in this study clearly required evidence-informed guidelines to underpin practice both in applying painful stimuli and in managing the experience of the person in their care and the family response. A standardised approach to education is necessary to ensure greater interrater reliability of assessment not only within nursing but across professions.
RELEVANCE TO PRACTICE
CONCLUSIONS
Results of this study illustrate inconsistency and confusion when using the Glasgow Coma Scale in practice; this has the potential to compromise care. Clarity around the issues highlighted is necessary. Moreover, these results can inform future guidelines and education required for supporting nurses in practice.
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
3827-3839Informations de copyright
© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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