Pain is often regarded as the fifth vital sign in regard to healthcare because it is accepted now in healthcare that pain, like other vital signs, is an objective sensation rather than subjective. As a result nurses are trained and expected to assess pain.
Pain assessment and re-assessment after administration of analgesics or pain management is regulated in healthcare facilities by accreditation bodies, like the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission began setting standards for pain assessment in 2001 stating that the route of analgesic administration dictates the times for pain reassessment, as different routes require different amounts of time for the medication to have a therapeutic effect. Oral: 45–69 minutes. Intramuscular: 30 minutes. Intravascular: 15 minutes.
Most pain assessments are done in the form of a scale. The scale is explained to the patient, who then chooses a score. A rating is taken before administering any medication and after the specified time frame to rate the efficacy of treatment.
Patients rate pain on a scale from 0-10, 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
A scale with corresponding faces depicting various levels of pain is shown to the patient and they select one.
Patients who cannot verbalize/comprehend pain scales are assessed with different types of scales.
Used for neonates/infants:
| Assessment | 0 | 1 | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Face | Smiling/expressionless | Frowning | Clenched jaw/Anguish |
| Legs | Normal movement/Relaxed | Restless/Tense | Legs drawn up/Kicking |
| Activity | None/Lying quietly | Squirming/Tense movements | Arched back/Rigid/Jerking |
| Cry | None | Occasional whimper | Crying constantly/Screaming |
| Consolability | Relaxed | Easily distracted or reassured | Difficult to distract/reassure |
The scores are added together to achieve a 0-10 pain score.
fMRI brain scanning has been used to measure pain, giving good correlations with self-reported pain.[1][2][3][4][5]
Hedonic adaptation means that actual long-term suffering due to physical illness is often much lower than expected.[6]
One area where assessments of pain and suffering are required to be made effectively is in legal awards. In the Western world these are typically discretionary awards made by juries and are regarded as difficult to predict, variable and subjective, for instance in the US,[7] UK, [8] Australia and New Zealand.[9]
Many patients who use drugs and are on opioids, analgesics, benzodiazepines, stimulants, barbiturates, and sedative-hypnotics have the potential to become addicted. Many people with chronic illnesses, injury, and history of mental illness are prescribed these drugs. As a nurse it is difficult to assess whether the pain is real or whether the patient is seeking the narcotic. Adult patients display pain and emotions differently. Many patients become dependent physically and mentally on these drugs.
1.name 2.age 3.sex 4.occupation 5.address 6.chief complaint of patient 7.history of patient:- present illness history past illness history medical history family history personal history 8.pain site of pain nature of pain quantity of pain on v.a.s scale type of pain 9.examination active movement passive movement 10.observation gait posture r.o.m palpation aggravating factor relieving factor tenderness 11.treatment
If the patient is continually asking for the physician to increase their pain medication or increase the frequency, they need further evaluation by both a nurse and a physician. There is a good possibility the patient is in pain. There is also a possibility that they are becoming addicted to prescribed medication. The patient's history must be taken into account as well. Medical conditions such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis are chronic conditions and can be very painful.
In long-term care facilities, three non-drug interventions need to be attempted before administering anti-anxiety or anti-psychotic medications. These interventions can consist of giving the patient food, drinks, one on one care, back rub, changing the patient's position in bed, adjusting the temperature, and redirecting the patient's mental focus. Many times these interventions work, but many times the medication may still need to be administered.
The patient's history and diagnosis are helpful in deciding whether or not the patient is developing a substance abuse problem. A patient having social or relationship problems may need to meet with a crisis counselor.
During every shift that a nurse is on duty, they must do an assessment of the patient. If they suspect the patient is becoming addicted, they must notify the physician.