Utilizing The Gate Theory in Critical Care

As a critical care nurse, patients are often on the ventilator and unable to express their feelings of pain.  Some patients are on sedation, but a majority of the patients are aware of their surroundings.  The Gate Theory allows me to understand how pain is perceived in the body, and to try to decrease the stimuli in order to cause a reduction or elimination of pain.  Utilizing pain scales, medications, and removing the stimuli that is causing the pain such as a wrinkled pad can help in providing comfort.  Nurses must remember that pain is subjective and is different for each individual.