The National Hemophilia Foundation’s (NHF) Nursing Working Group has been revising and expanding The Nurses’ Guide to Bleeding Disorders (NGBD. First published in 1995, the guide provides comprehensive information and practical ideas to assist nurses at all levels in caring for patients with bleeding disorders.
Over the last several years, the NGBD has further evolved into a readily accessible online resource, serving as an introduction to nurses new to coagulation and an information source for more experienced nurses. New chapters, which continue to be uploaded in downloadable PDF format, cover a wide range of topics such as von Willebrand disease, rare bleeding disorders, hepatitis, orthopedics and women with bleeding disorders.
In this edition of NHF eNotes, NHF highlights the chapter on “Pain,” written by Michelle Witkop, DNP, FNP-BC; Angela Lambing, MSN, NP-C, and Rhonda Fritz, MSN, CPNP. The authors, all nurses experienced in the care of patients with bleeding disorders, cover the many aspects and nuances of pain in a clear, comprehensive style. One section explains the science of pain, including the intricate and complex interactions between initial stimuli, nerve responses and the brain. The chapter also includes definitions of pain in its myriad forms and the varied approaches to pain management, including the use of medications, nonpharmacological therapies and holistic and eastern techniques. It concludes by emphasizing that pain, particularly in chronic form, can have a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life and can increase stress, anxiety and depression, which should be incorporated in assessment and management.
