title: Pain among mechanically ventilated patients in critical care units.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain is a common experience among mechanically ventilated patients. Pain among mechanically ventilated patients is aggravated by factors such as stage of illness, invasive procedures, and surgical interventions. The aim to this study was to investigate pain levels and predictors among mechanically ventilated patients during rest and routine nursing interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used, with a total sample of 301 mechanically ventilated patients. Patients' pain levels were assessed using Behavioral Pain Scale during rest and routine nursing interventions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean pain score levels during rest (mean = 3.69, standard deviation [SD] = 0.81) were lower than mean pain score levels during routine nursing interventions (mean = 7.1, SD = 2.5). During rest, pain scores were significantly correlated with age (r = -0.12, P = 0.046), and heart rate (r = 0.24, P < 0.001). During nursing interventions, pain scores were significantly correlated with age (r = -0.25, P < 0.001), heart rate (r = 0.36, P < 0.001), and diastolic blood pressure (BP) (r = 0.21, P < 0.001). The age and past surgical history were found to be significant (age: β = -0.009, P = 0.002; past surgical history: β = -1.376, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mechanically ventilated patients experience pain during rest as well as during routine nursing interventions. Pain levels were associated with age, heart rate, and diastolic BP. The age and past surgical history should be considered as important predictive factors.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Clinical Nursing Department, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Manal M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Al Sutari
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Clinical Nursing Department, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Maysoon S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Abdalrahim
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Community Health Nursing, The University of Jordan and Al Farabi College for Dentistry and Nursing, Riyadh, KSA.
authors.forename: Ayman M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hamdan-Mansour
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Department of Applied Science, Al-Balqa' Applied University (Ajloun University College), Amman, Jordan.
authors.forename: Shahnaz M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Ayasrah
keywords: Critical care units; mechanically ventilated patients; pain assessment