Post appendicitis surgery with acute pain in the PKU Muhammadiyah Hospital Wonosobo

Abstract

Appendicitis is one of the most common cases of acute abdominal surgery, with appendectomy as the main treatment. Postoperatively, acute pain becomes the dominant complaint that can interfere with mobilization, slow down wound healing, and decrease the patient's quality of life. This study aims to describe nursing care in post-appendectomy patients with acute pain through a combination of pharmacological therapy and Benson's relaxation technique. The design used was a descriptive case study on two male patients aged 16 and 18 years old in Room Khadijah 2 of PKU Muhammadiyah Wonosobo Hospital. Interventions included the administration of analgesics (ketorolac-tramadol and metamizole) as well as training in Benson's relaxation techniques for three days. Pain evaluation was performed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) before and after the intervention. The results showed a significant decrease in the pain scale: the first patient from a scale of 6 to 4, and the second patient from a scale of 5 to 2. Patients with a higher intensity of relaxation exercises showed a more optimal reduction in pain. These findings confirm that a holistic approach that integrates pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies can improve the effectiveness of postoperative pain management. The active role of nurses in education and assistance in relaxation techniques and family support is an important factor in the success of therapy. This study recommends the integration of Benson's relaxation technique in nursing practice as a supportive modality for post-appendectomy pain control.