Nurses' memory of patient's pain

This descriptive study examined the relationship between nurses' memory of patient's pain and patient stereotyping, The patient vignette information recalled by 148 nurses was content analyzed for accurate items, accurate analgesic items, and how accurately the patient's pain was recalled. Stereotyping was measured by z-scores for time planned for pain assessment and analgesic administration, No significant relationship was supported between memory and stereotyping. Nurses either recalled the patient's pain accurately (n = 58), inaccurately (n = 18), or completely omitted (n = 70) this information. Further study is needed to explore why nurses recalled the patient's pain differently, and how this might impact pain relief efforts. Copyright (C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.