Knowledge and Attitudes of Nursing Students Regarding Postoperative Pain Management: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Nurses play a critical role in pain assessment and management; therefore, it is essential that nursing students possess adequate knowledge and appropriate attitudes toward this aspect of care. Previous research has consistently shown that nursing students have deficiencies in both knowledge and attitudes related to the effective management of postoperative pain.

Aim: This descriptive, cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate nursing students’ knowledge and attitudes regarding pain management.

Methods: The study sample consisted of 306 second-, third-, and fourth-year nursing students who were 18 years of age or older, enrolled in a nursing faculty, and consented to participate. Data were collected between May 30, 2022 and June 3, 2022 using a Student Information Form and the Nurses’ Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain (NKASRP), administered through structured face-to-face interviews. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, independent samples t-tests, and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: Of the participants, 69.9% were female and 97.7% were single. The mean NKASRP score was 15.98±3.32, with a correct response rate of 38%, indicating a poor level of knowledge and attitudes. Notably, 92.2% of students correctly answered the question, “Who best expresses the severity of the patient’s pain?”, and 90.5% correctly identified that “After the recommended initial doses of opioid analgesics, additional doses should be adjusted according to the patient’s individual response.” A statistically significant difference was found in NKASRP scores based on whether students had received education on pain management (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that nursing students have insufficient knowledge regarding pain management. It is recommended that pharmacology and pain management content in nursing curricula be reviewed and strengthened to address these deficiencies.

Keywords: Attitude, nursing, pain management, postoperative pain, students