Effect of Precooling Puncture Site on Pain Associated with Arterial Puncture

1.ABSTRACT Background : Arterial puncture is a daily routine care and a frequently ordered medical procedure for patients requiring blood gas analysis which associated with severe pain. Cold application is a simple, non-invasive, and inexpensive technique for reducing pain associated with arterial puncture. Study aim: Investigate the effect of precooling puncture site on pain associated with arterial puncture. Methods: A quasi experimental research design was used. Setting: The study was carried out at Chest and Medical Fourteen departments at Mansoura University Hospital. Sample : A purposive sample of 66 patients who had orders for arterial blood gases draws as a part of their routine clinical assessment. They were recruited and divided randomly into two equal groups . Tool : consisted of three parts, Part I: demographic and medical data, Part II: Wong Baker faces pain rating scale, and Part III: Numerical pain rating scale. Results: The study revealed that there was a highly statistically significant reduction in pain level as measured by Wong Baker face pain rating scale and Numerical pain rating scale after application of precooling puncture site among study group when compared by control group. Conclusion : The study revealed that cold application is a simple non pharmacological, convenience and cost-effective method in reducing pain associated with arterial puncture. Recommendations : Cardio-respiratory and metabolic departments should involve cold application for managing arterial puncture pain in the routine care for patients with arterial blood gases analysis. Educational programs about the application of ice and its effect on minimizing the pain should be conducted for nursing staff.