A Patient's Guide to Heart Surgery

Telemetry Nursing Unit

Once you are sent to the telemetry nursing unit, the nursing staff will assess your level of discomfort and administer pain medication as needed. If you are experiencing discomfort, please ask your nurse for pain medication. These medications are not addictive and are given to lessen your pain and keep you comfortable so that you may do all the activities necessary to help you recover quickly. Similar medications will be sent home with you when you are discharged from the hospital.

Other methods of pain control also may be used. You may use the guided imagery relaxation tapes/CD given to you before surgery to help you relax. Small tape/CD players with headphones are allowed in the ICU and on the nursing units. Heating pads and massage therapy are also helpful techniques to reduce pain.