Research Critique
PART-A
Appraisal table
| Chosen article: | Varndell, W., Fry, M., & Elliott, D. (2025). Emergency Nurses' Perceptions and Experiences in Managing Acute Pain in Critically Ill Adult Patients: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Advanced Nursing. | |
| Component | Describe the purpose of the component | Discuss how well the article achieves the purpose and appropriateness of methods |
|---|---|---|
| Abstract |
(Zina, 2021). |
|
| Literature review |
(Aveyard, Payne and Preston, 2021). |
|
| Aim or Purpose |
(Naumann, 2024). |
|
| Methodology |
(Wolfenden et al, 2021). |
|
| Methods: Sampling |
(McCarthy et al, 2021). |
|
| Methods: Data Collection |
(Dickson-Swift, 2022). |
|
| Methods: Data Analysis |
(Hancock, Algozzine and Lim, 2021). |
|
| Ethics |
(Mitchell et al, 2022). |
|
| Results or Findings |
(Dickson-Swift, 2022). |
|
| Discussion |
(Mitchell et al, 2022). |
|
| Limitations |
(McCarthy et al, 2021). |
|
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PART-B
Introduction
Pain found to be most common presented symptoms within Emergency department [ED] across the world. The study of Varndell, Fry and Elliott (2025) revealed that ED across Australia facing persistent pressure for meeting the rising demand of critical care. Emergency nurses are at the forefront of managing acute pain in critically ill adult patients; emergency nurses are frequently presented in a position for assessing and optimising acute pain management. Wide number of methods integrated by emergency nurses for assessing pain and subsequently, treatments are undertaken. The present essay will be based on critically assessing the strengths and weaknesses of research method integrated in the study. Furthermore, clinical implication of findings will be discussed and evidence from existing guidelines "Pain Australia-Clinical assessment of pain" will be considered for incorporation of evidence in practices.
Critique
Varndell, Fry and Elliott (2025) research integrated qualitative method for conducting study and subsequently, semi-structured interviews were undertaken allocating insights. This found to be one of the major strength of study as significant focus was implied or collecting detailed insights through interview and accordingly, results were developed. From the literature it is evident that it is important to undertake such method which is suitable to research context; for instance- in current research perceptions of emergency nurses was needed to be analysed for gaining detailed insights regarding acute pain management and their responses can be effectively allocated through semi-structured interview as this supports in gaining detailed insights regarding nurses experience. Non-participant observation and semi-structured interviews that was conducted from November-December 2020 integrated qualitative descriptive approach in order to gain detailed understanding related to nurse's experience.
On the other hand, non-participant observation provided significant opportunity for gaining detailed understanding regarding the reality and agency of nursing practice within resuscitation area and it was observed that what nurses do on every day basis. Hence, there is no doubt in depicting that strengthens mechanism for allocating information as integrated in the study.
However, there was lack of justification behind non-participant nurses observation was provided and this somehow reduced the efficacy of data collection procedure. This is identified as significant weakness in context of this component and author could have provided detailed justification behind this context as this could have strengthened the methodological process. In order to analyse the data thematic analysis was integrated by author and different themes were formulated for presenting findings. Each theme was presented in simplified language that led to create significant understanding among readers; the meaningful insights were presented in themes and this led to improve research findings.
However, the themes were lacking in providing information regarding implication of findings; whilst; specific section was highlighted regarding implication of findings. However, if author could have considered the implication of practice in themes then it could have effectively linked the information.
The background section in the article was presenting about in-depth literature and accordingly, critical evaluation of the studies was done while highlighting research gap. This proves that author focused on presenting in-depth justification within literature part and detailed insights related to emergency nurses approaches for acute pain management was explained. However, the study was lacking in synthesizing information from different sources which shows that sources were not evaluated properly and this is identified as the weakness of study and it is important to assure significant focus on this area as effective literature forms the basis for study (Macintyre and Schug, 2021).
Readiness for implementation into practice
The study by Varndell, Fry and Elliott (2025) significantly demonstrated about emergency nurses experience and it was identified that; nurses are primarily accountable for looking upon patient care and optimising pain control among critically ill patient. However, there is need to take certain improvements as prioritising pan management has often become challenging while balancing departmental demands. Emergency nurses are at the forefront of performing varied duties within resuscitation area; pain is under-assessed and managed among critically ill patient and this is significantly due to stem from emergency nurses practices.
Lack of support, communication challenges and unpredictable workload has been creating persistent issues and it is important to focus on these areas so that these complexities can be solved and subsequently, nurses can effectively undertakes acute pain management practices in critically ill adult patient. The findings can be integrated in clinical settings and consistent focus must be implemented on solving the issues and concerns of emergency nurses as they are responsible for looking upon patient and managing their pain. If the nurses would be stressed out then this leads to create drastic impact on patient outcomes and therefore, it is highly important to assure significant emphasis on this area.
The research presented detailed description regarding ethics and methodological aspects; this proves that study has considered the principles of evidence-based research. Furthermore, direct interaction with the participants has been integrated and insights were gained; thus, realistic outcomes are developed and this proves that the findings can be integrated in clinical decision making. The issues of emergency nurses should be solved and they must be supported so they can perform their practices effectively (Nordness, Hayhurst and Pandharipande, 2021). In this manner, consequent support could be assured to nurses and subsequently, effective acute pain management interventions for critically ill adult patient can be integrated within setting.
Understanding research evidence and applying clinical findings to patient care are essential aspects of Evidence Based Nursing Assignment Help.
Translation to practice
In order to integrate the findings of Varndell, Fry and Elliott (2025) within nursing practices prior focus must be integrated on aligning this with existing guideline "Clinical Assessment of Pain". This guideline comprehends with analysing patient pain while specifically focusing on their needs and accordingly, treatment based on pain management should be undertaken (Clinical Assessment of Pain, 2024). There are number of patients who are suffering from cancer and other illnesses experiences severe pain and therefore, their treatment plan should be monitored on regular basis. In order to comply with these guidelines it is important that emergency nurses are aware about these domains. Structured implication of roles and responsibilities should be consider within ED and subsequently, nurses should be supported and guided so they can effectively integrate pain management practices for critically ill adult patients. In accordance with Clinical Assessment of Pain guideline patient's medical history should be analysed and this must involve pain site, history of pain or illness, other treatments, family history, substance use and must monitor a detailed pain history (Clinical Assessment of Pain, 2024). The departmental demands should comply with these guidelines so emergency nurses can effectively perform their responsibilities and assess pain of patient.
The initial assessment of pain is crucial and this should be assessed systematically while considering perpetuating factors, temporal pattern and comorbidities. This supports in identifying whether patient progressing from acute to chronic pain or the condition is becoming better. In order to undertake effective pain assessment and management practices emergency nurses should be trained consistently and practical implication of these guideline must be done for improving patient outcomes. Emergency nurses are accountable for providing holistic support to patient and developing therapeutic alliance with them. In this manner, persistent support to patient can be ensured and their outcomes could be enhanced. Moreover, immediate referral to patient should be given in case of severe condition and nurses must act in accordance with their professional competence (Clinical Assessment of Pain, 2024).
Thus, this alignment leads to improve nursing practices and creates wider support for critically ill adult patients in ED; this results in reducing harm and risk for patient. Hence, the study of Varndell, Fry and Elliott (2025) revealed that it is important to undertake appropriate acute pain management procedure for supporting critically ill patient. However, persisting challenges can disrupt nursing practices and drastically impacts patient outcomes. Therefore, integration of "Clinical Assessment of Pain" guideline should be considered for assessing and monitoring patient pain. Subsequently, appropriate steps should be taken by emergency nurses for improving patient outcomes.
In this manner, translation to practice could be done significantly and this further supports in improving patient outcomes to greater extent. This leads to create consistent support for patients and further helps nurses in taking appropriate actions which are important to be considered for integrating effective pain management strategies. In this manner, effective outcomes could be gained and subsequent support to individuals could be ensured and clinical outcomes can be improved. In order to gain effective result it is important to ensure collaboration within setting as this leads to create significant support for emergency nurses and improves their practices.
Conclusion
Conclusively; this can be said that this study led to provide significant valuable insights that directly link with improving acute pain management procedure among critically ill patient. The research method incorporated qualitative research and accordingly, semi-structured interview was conducted and detailed insights from emergency nurses were allocated regarding pain management practices. The implication of findings in should be done within clinical setting however, there is need to implement a robust procedure for implicating outcomes and it must be aligned with "Clinical Assessment of Pain" Guidelines. This supports in reducing the issues of emergency nurses and strengthens pain assessment practices within setting.
References
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- Dickson-Swift, V. (2022). Undertaking qualitative research on trauma: impacts on researchers and guidelines for risk management. Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal, 17(4), 469-486.
- Hancock, D. R., Algozzine, B., & Lim, J. H. (2021). Doing case study research: A practical guide for beginning researchers.
- Macintyre, P. E., & Schug, S. A. (2021). Acute pain management: a practical guide. Crc Press.
- McCarthy, L., Teague, B., Rowe, K., Janes, K., Rhodes, T., Hackmann, C., ... & Wilson, J. (2021). Practice-informed guidance for undertaking remotely delivered mental health research. Nurse Researcher, 29(2).
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- Nordness, M. F., Hayhurst, C. J., & Pandharipande, P. (2021). Current perspectives on the assessment and management of pain in the intensive care unit. Journal of Pain Research, 1733-1744.
- Oermann, M. H., Nicoll, L. H., Chinn, P. L., Conklin, J. L., McCarty, M., & Amarasekara, S. (2018). Quality of author guidelines in nursing journals. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 50(3), 333-340.
- Varndell, W., Fry, M., & Elliott, D. (2025). Emergency Nurses' Perceptions and Experiences in Managing Acute Pain in Critically Ill Adult Patients: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Advanced Nursing.
- Wolfenden, L., Foy, R., Presseau, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Ivers, N. M., Powell, B. J., ... & Yoong, S. L. (2021). Designing and undertaking randomised implementation trials: guide for researchers. bmj, 372.
- Zina, O. (2021). The essential guide to doing your research project. Sage.
- Clinical Assessment of Pain, 2024 Online Available through: https://www.painaustralia.org.au/static/uploads/files/painaust-factsheet3-jan-16-wfksvufhgrzc-wfyaoehyvpzw.pdf
