Table 3 Nurses’ attitudes toward pain management and control as Nurse Attitude Survey (NAS) questionnaire Results in 400 Nurses

1

Giving opioids on a regular schedule is preferred over prn

39(9.8)

38(9.5)

219(54.8)

104(26)

0.74(0.22)

2

 A patient should experience discomfort prior to receiving the next dose of pain medication

68(17.0)

84(0.21)

195(48.8)

52(13.0)

0.61(0.23)

3

Continuous assessment of pain and medication effectiveness is necessary for good pain management

39(9.8)

74(18.5)

166(41.5)

121(30.3)

0.73(0.23)

4

Patients (or their family members) have the right to request pain medication before the pain returns

34(9.3)

112(28.0)

125(31.3)

126(31.5)

0.71(0.24)

5

Patients (or family members) may be hesitant to ask for pain medication due to fear of the use of opioids

89(22.3)

161(40.3)

91(22.8)

58(14.5)

0.57(0.24)

6

Patients receiving opioids on a prn basis are likely to develop clock watching behaviors

80(20.0)

111(27.8)

170(42.5)

39(9.8)

0.61(0.23)

7

Estimation of pain by a physician or nurse is a more valid measure of pain than by patient report

125(31.3)

195(48.8)

58(14.5)

22(5.5)

0.76(0.21)

8

Patients in pain can tolerate high doses of opioids without sedation or respiratory depression

83(20.8)

257(64.3)

18(4.5)

42(10.5)

0.51(0.20)

9

Patients can be maintained in a pain free state

69(17.3)

277(69.3)

36(9.0)

18(4.5)

0.50(0.17)

10

If a patient reports pain relief and euphoria a lower dose of pain medication should be given the next time

69(17.3)

277(69.3)

36(9.0)

18(4.5)

0.72(0.23)

11

Patients with chronic pain should receive pain medication at regular intervals with or without the presence of pain

111(27.8)

139(34.8)

131(32.8)

18(4.5)

0.53(0.22)

12

Patients receiving around the clock opioids are at risk for sedation and respiratory depression

82(20.5)

163(40.8)

125(31.3)

28(7.0)

0.68(0.22)

13

Patients with severe chronic pain need higher doses of pain medication compared to acute pain

73(18.3)

194(48.5)

98(24.5)

33(8.3)

0.53(0.22)

14

Patients should be maintained in a pain free state

50(12.5)

91(22.8)

218(54.5)

39(9.8)

0.65(0.21)

15

Lack of pain expression does not necessarily mean lack of pain

14(3.5)

102(25.5)

208(52.0)

70(17.5)

0.70(0.20)

16

Cancer pain can be relieved with anti -cancer drugs, radiation therapy, and/or pain medications

87(21.8)

172(43.0)

125(31.3)

16(4.0)

0.54(0.20)

17

If the patient continues to have pain after receiving pain medication the nurse should contact the physician

35(8.8)

51(12.8)

225(56.3)

89(22.3)

0.73(0.21)

18

Patients receiving pain medications around the clock for cancer are likely to become addicted

41(10.3)

73(18.3)

130(32.5)

155(38.8)

0.50(0.25)

19

Distraction and diversion can decrease the perception of pain

50(12.5)

92(23.0)

180(45.0)

75(18.8)

0.67(0.24)

20

 A constant level of analgesic should be maintained in the blood to control pain effectively

120(30.0)

108(27.0)

135(33.8)

36(9.0)

0.55(0.25)

21

Increasing analgesic requirements and physical symptoms are signs of addiction

55(13.8)

132(33.0)

181(45.3)

31(7.8)

0.63(0.21)

22

The cancer patient and family should have more control over the schedule for analgesics than the health professional

77(19.3)

131(32.8)

138(34.5)

54(13.5)

0.61(0.24)

23

The nurse can make a more accurate assessment of the patients pain than the patient

101(25.3)

146(36.5)

124(31.0)

29(7.2)

0.70(0.23)

24

Cutaneous stimulation (heat, massage, ice) are only effective for mild pain

54(13.5)

87(21.8)

165(41.3)

84(21.0)

0.56(0.25)

25

When is the best time to seek medication for a patient on cancer who is on prescription pain medication?

138(34.5)

171(42.8)

16(4.0)

68(17.0)

0.73(0.28)