NERS NEWS — Surabaya, August 27, 2026 — Group 13 of the Medical-Surgical Nursing Profession Rotation, Nursing Profession students of the Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, conducted a health education activity on Pain and Anxiety Management in Chemotherapy Patients for patients and their families in the IOT Room of Universitas Airlangga Hospital on Friday (August 27, 2026). The activity, which was attended by six participants, was conducted as an effort to increase patients’ and families’ understanding of the importance of managing pain and anxiety and applying appropriate relaxation techniques during chemotherapy.
The health education activity was conducted in the IOT Room area on the 5th floor and was guided by Najma Faradisa Sufyan as the Master of Ceremony (MC). The material on pain and anxiety management in chemotherapy patients was delivered by Irna Savira and Puji Tri Purnaningsih, who also explained how to perform the deep breathing relaxation technique correctly to the participants. The activity used health education and demonstration methods so that participants could receive explanations while also seeing the technique directly.
The health education explained that pain is a subjective sensory and emotional experience. Participants were educated on how to identify pain using the PQRST method, including precipitating or relieving factors, characteristics, location and radiation, intensity, and timing of pain. In addition, participants were given an understanding of anxiety, including its definition and signs and symptoms, such as fear, worry, restlessness, increased pulse and respiratory rates, and muscle tension.
Participants were also introduced to the deep breathing relaxation technique as one of the non-pharmacological methods to help reduce pain and anxiety. The presenters demonstrated the technique by adjusting to a comfortable position, slowly inhaling through the nose, briefly holding the breath according to tolerance, and then slowly exhaling through the mouth. The technique was performed several times until the patient felt more relaxed.
Through this activity, patients and families are expected to be able to recognize pain and signs of anxiety and apply the deep breathing relaxation technique appropriately as an effort to improve comfort during chemotherapy. This activity also represents the contribution of Nursing Profession students to improving the health literacy of patients and families.
Writer: Cici Yulia
