To assess pain intensity during nociceptive (endotracheal suctioning) and non-nociceptive (body temperature measurement) procedures in critically ill patients after cardiac surgery.

A descriptive and cross-sectional design was carried out. The study sample consisted of 60 critically ill patients. The study used the Critical Care Pain Observation Scale, the Behavioural Pain Scale, the Ramsey Sedation Scale and Physiological Parameter Form for data collection. Pain was assessed before, during, and 20 min after endotracheal suctioning and body temperature measurement in the study.

The pain scores were found to be statistically significant differences during endotracheal suctioning and body temperature measurement (p < 0.001). Pain scores were found to be higher during endotracheal suctioning, which is a nociceptive procedure (p < 0.05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate scores were also determined to be statistically higher during endotracheal suctioning (p < 0.05).

Pain scores and physiological parameters were found to be higher during endotracheal suctioning, a procedure known to be nociceptive. Critical care nurses are recommended to follow pain assessment protocols.