NURSING CARE FOR GOUT ARTHRITIS PATIENTS WITH ACUTE PAIN NURSING PROBLEMS WITH ADMINISTRATION WARM COMPRESS INTERVENTION USING LEMONGRASS LEAVES

Abstract

Gout arthritis is a health problem with signs and symptoms of inflammation in the joints and surrounding tissues that can cause severe pain or intermittent pain. To overcome this problem, non-pharmacological therapy can be used, namely warm compress therapy using lemongrass to treat acute pain in people with gout arthritis. This study used a case study design that included assessment, diagnosis, intervention, implementation, and evaluation. Data were collected through interviews, direct observation, and documentation. The subjects were three clients with gout arthritis in Sambigede Village who met the research criteria. The study was conducted in June 2024, and each client received three meetings over seven days. Based on the assessment, the nursing diagnosis was acute pain, and the intervention given was warm compress therapy using lemongrass. The results showed a decrease in the pain scale in all three clients, from moderate pain to mild pain. Pain in clients with gout arthritis is caused by the accumulation of urate crystals, which triggers an inflammatory response. A lemongrass warm compress is a compress that provides warmth to the painful area using a warm lemongrass decoction. The decrease in the pain scale occurred because the therapy produced a relaxing effect, so the body secreted endorphin and serotonin hormones and reduced the cortisol hormone, which was marked by changes in the clients' perception of pain.