Author
Listed:
- Lotta Wikström
- Mats Nilsson
- Anders Broström
- Kerstin Eriksson
Abstract
Aim and objectives To validate the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) for postoperative nausea assessments, and determine whether a central tendency, median, based on patients’ self‐rated nausea is a clinically applicable daily measure to describe patients’ nausea after major surgery. Background Postoperative nausea causes major discomfort, risks for complications and prolonged hospital stays. The NRS is recommended for the assessment of pain but is little explored for assessing nausea. Design A repeated measure design was carried out on patients who had undergone major surgery in three Swedish hospitals. Methods Nonparametric statistical methods were used to analyse (a) associations between the NRS and a verbal scale (no, mild, moderate and severe) and (b) to analyse associations between Measure 1 (nausea scores postoperative Day 1) and Measure 2 (retrospective nausea scores at rest and during activity, postoperative Day 2). Reporting of this research adheres to the Strobe Guidelines. Results The mean age of the 479 patients (44% women) in the sample was 65 years (range, 22–93 years). Self‐assessed nausea scores from the NRS and the verbal scale correlated well (rSpearman = 0.79). Correlation between nausea at rest and nausea during activity was rSpearman = 0.81. The calculated median scores (Measure 1) showed only moderate correlations with retrospective nausea scores (Measure 2); 4–9 ratings, rSpearman = 0.41; 6–9 ratings, rSpearman = 0.54. Conclusions Numeric Rating Scale scores showed strong associations with a verbal scale; therefore, the NRS seems to be a valid tool to measure nausea intensity. The quality of daily summarised median nausea scores needs to be further explored before clinical use. Relevance to clinical practice The use of the NRS in assessments of nausea in postoperative care will facilitate communication between patients and health care professionals regarding nausea intensity. When documenting nausea, it seems unnecessary to distinguish nausea at rest from nausea during activity.
Suggested Citation
Lotta Wikström & Mats Nilsson & Anders Broström & Kerstin Eriksson, 2019.
"Patients’ self‐reported nausea: Validation of the Numerical Rating Scale and of a daily summary of repeated Numerical Rating Scale scores,"
Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(5-6), pages 959-968, March.
Handle:
RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:28:y:2019:i:5-6:p:959-968
DOI: 10.1111/jocn.14705
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References listed on IDEAS
- Börjeson Sussanne & Carina Arweström & Angelica Baker & Carina Berterö, 2010.
"Nurses’ experiences in the relief of postoperative nausea and vomiting,"
Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(13‐14), pages 1865-1872, July.
- Lotta Wikström & Kerstin Eriksson & Bengt Fridlund & Mats Nilsson & Kristofer Årestedt & Anders Broström, 2017.
"The clinical applicability of a daily summary of patients’ self‐reported postoperative pain—A repeated measure analysis,"
Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(23-24), pages 4675-4684, December.
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