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7: Pain Assessment and Management

Last updated

Feb 13, 2025
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- 6.8: References
- 7.0: Introduction

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7.0: Introduction
The page discusses the importance of pain assessment and management in patient care, emphasizing that pain is subjective and varies among individuals. Nurses play a vital role in this process by conducting assessments to understand the patient's description and severity of pain, which informs the use of both pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions.
7.1: Concepts and Causes of Pain
This section provides an overview of the concept of pain, its causes, and classifications. Pain is described as a critical communication tool indicating potential body issues. It varies from person to person and is classified by factors like location, onset, duration, and cause. The process of pain involves nociceptors which signal the brain through the spinal cord.
7.2: Pain Assessment
The section emphasizes the importance of assessing and reassessing patient pain as vital for effective pain management. It outlines the assessment procedures, including understanding cultural implications and employing mnemonics like COLDSPA, OLDCARTES, and PQRSTU for comprehensive evaluations. Pain is described as subjective; hence, patient expression is crucial. Different pain assessment tools cater to various populations, with a focus on reassessment to achieve patient pain goals.
7.3: Pharmacological Pain Management
This section discusses pharmacological methods for pain management, differentiating between analgesics, adjuvants, opioids, and nonopioids. It emphasizes starting with the least invasive and lowest dose interventions, referencing the WHO pain ladder as a guide.
7.4: Nonpharmacological Pain Management
This section discusses nonpharmacological pain management strategies and the nurse's role in their implementation and patient education. Nonpharmacological techniques include physical modifications, mind-body therapies, natural therapies, manipulative practices, energy healing, and electrical stimulation. Nurses should evaluate the appropriateness of these treatments, collaborate with patients and providers, and educate patients on therapy choices.
7.5: Substance Use Disorder
This page discusses substance use disorder (SUD), specifically focusing on its definition, prevention measures, and pain management strategies for affected individuals. It outlines the scope of SUDs, prevalent substances involved, and the associated risks, especially regarding opioids. Prevention focuses on reducing opioid prescriptions and increasing awareness of substance harms.
7.6: Summary
This document provides an overview of pain management, covering the concepts and causes of pain, the importance of pain assessment, and the approaches to pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management. It explains the different types of pain, such as acute, chronic, neuropathic, and nociceptive, and the role of nurses in evaluating and treating pain.
7.7: Key Terms
7.8: Assessments
7.9: References
The page lists a variety of resources and references related to pain management, opioid epidemic, stigma reduction, cultural competence in healthcare, and alternative therapies such as aromatherapy, mindfulness, and acupuncture. It includes topics on chronic pain, phantom limb pain, and the impact of virtual reality on pain and anxiety, showing a broad spectrum of approaches in understanding and managing pain effectively.

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