The core skill that was involved in the last clinical placement was regarding pain assessment and management. Pain was defined as an unpleasant experience from the sensory and emotional aspects that usually involved the tissue damage in the body (Fields, 2007). Pain was classified into acute or chronic. Acute pain was a direct biological response to inflammation, tissue damage, or disease. Acute pain usually lasted less than one month. Acute pain was usually accompanied by anxiety and emotional distress. Chronic pain comprised of pain that lasted longer than a month following the healing of a tissue injury. Chronic pain persisted or recurred for three months or longer. Chronic pain was either continuous or intermittent (Frey, 2005). Pain …show more content…
These lead to an exact template to carry out pain assessment in patients with acute and chronic pain (Fink, 2000, p.236). Pain management was an interdisciplinary approach, comprised of all interventions that were applicable to ease pain and also to alleviate the cause of the pain (Schonbeck and Uretsky, 2013). The rationale in selecting the core skill , which was pain assessment and management, was due to the importance of pain assessment and management in pain control or relief in every patient’s condition that has to be concerned. A more thorough understanding in the application of pain assessment can produce an effective pain management plan of interventions, and thus regain a patient’s functional ability or quality of life (Wells, Pasero and McCaffery, 2008, pp. 473). Physiotherapists were well-trained with application of pain assessment tools in the clinical settings according to the clinical conditions and target populations, such as young children and elderly with cognitive and communication impairments (Royal College of Physicians, British Geriatrics Society and British Pain Society, 2007, p. …show more content…
Thus, by choosing this topic, a deeper understanding on evidence-based pain assessment and management was pursued.
During pain assessment in the clinical placement, the physiotherapist generally assessed and documented the critical components of pain assessment process by determining location of pain, the aggravating factors and easing factors of pain, duration of pain for every patient with complaint of pain (Powell et al., 2010, p.67). These basic subjective assessments depend on the use of pain measurement tools that assess the intensity of pain in order to quantify the severity and duration of the subjective pain experience in a valid and reliable manner (Powell et al., 2010, p.67). Hence, a pain measurement tool played a vital role in the pain assessment process. That should be selected appropriately regarding the practicality, applicability and acceptability of the pain assessment tools to condition of individual patient and used in conjunction with the other pain assessment (Powell et al., 2010, p. 71). In other words, a pain assessment tool should be selected systematically in order to assess the parameters of pain, which include location and radiation, intensity, quality and pattern,
When comparing quantitative measures such as gravimeter with visual analog scales, the quantitative measures, subjective ratings have a relatively high level of diagnosis sensitivity and specificity (48,49B). This method, however, is preferably used in research field, and is rarely used in clinical practice.
Sellbom, M., Bagby, R. M., Kushner, S., Quilty, L. C., & Ayearst, L. E. (2012). Diagnostic construct validity of MMPI-2 restructured form (MMPI-2-RF) scale scores. Assessment,19(2), 176-186. doi:10.1177/1073191111428763
Pain is not always curable but effects the life of millions of people. This essay examines the Essence of Care 2010: Benchmarks for the Prevention and Management of Pain (DH, 2010). Particularly reflecting on a practical working knowledge of its implementation and its relevance to nursing practice. It is part of the wider ranging Essence of Care policy, that includes all the latest benchmarks developed since it was first launched in 2001.
The composite score is objective and calculated through a weighted formula designed to provide an equal contribution from each item while the severity rating is subjective and indicates the need for additional treatment in specific areas (Haraguchi et al., 2009). The SR ranges from 0 to 9 points and the CS ranges from 0 to 1 with anything higher than the normal 9 SR or 1 CS indicating greater problem severities (Haraguchi et al., 2009). Although some problems still exist, the ASI has been reported to have nearly achieved both reliability and validity (Haraguchi et al.,
...tive pain management and Improvement in patients outcomes and satisfaction [Magazine]. Critical Care Nurse, 35(3), 37,35,42. Retrieved from
Assessing and managing pain is an inevitable part of nursing and the care of patients. Incomplete relief of pain remains prevalent despite years of research due to barriers such as lack of kn...
on Pain Care will evaluate the adequacy of pain assessment, treatment, and management; identify and
...amount of pain) is a great teaching tool for the patient who is able to self-report (Nevius & D’Arcy, 2008). This will put the patient and nurse on the same level of understanding regarding the patient’s pain. The patient should also be aware of the added information included with the pain scale: quality, duration, and location of the pain. During patient teaching, it should be noted that obtaining a zero out of ten on the pain scale is not always attainable after a painful procedure. A realistic pain management goal can be set by the patient for his pain level each day.
Zwakhalen,S., Hamers,J., Abu-Saad.H., Berger,B 2006. Pain in elderly people with severe dementia: A systematic review of behavioural pain assessment tools.BMC Geriatrics. 6(3) .Available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2318/6/3 [accessed 1 March 2014]
Sellbom, M., Bagby, R. M., Kushner, S., Quilty, L. C., & Ayearst, L. E. (2012). Diagnostic construct validity of MMPI-2 restructured form (MMPI-2-RF) scale scores. Assessment,19(2), 176-186. doi:10.1177/1073191111428763
Conclusions. An adequate and clear understanding of the concept of pain and implementing interventions of pain treatment and management is essential in the clinical settings. Understanding the concept of pain is necessary for its relationships with other concepts that are related and similar to the pain experience for theory building. The in the end, understanding the concept of pain will ultimately benefit the patient and lead to better and approp...
Pain, which is defined in its widest sense as an emotion which is the opposite of pleasure (White, 2004, p.455), is one of the major symptoms of cancer, affecting a majority of sufferers at some point during their condition (De Conno & Caraceni, 1996, p.8). The World Health Organization (WHO, 2009, online) suggests that relief from pain may be achieved in more than 90 percent of patients; however, Fitzgibbon and Loeser (2010, p.190) stress that pain may often be undertreated, even in the UK. Foley and Abernathy (2008, p.2759) identify numerous barriers to effective pain management, among which are professional barriers such as inadequate knowledge of pain mechanisms, assessment and management strategies.
The nurse should educate the patient of the importance of pain control and how controlling pain is essential to a patient’s wellbeing and recovery. It needs to be a balance of what the patient says and what the nurse observes and interprets while always respecting the wishes of the patient. Nurses have a variety of assessment tools available to assess pain in their patients. One dimensional pain scales such as visual analog scale, verbal descriptor scale, numeric pain intensity scale and the combined thermometer scale all measure the intensity of the pain (Jensen, 2011). Other pain scales such as McGill pain questionnaire, brief pain inventory, and brief pain impact questionnaire take into account aspects beyond intensity (Jensen 2011). There are additional pain assessments specialized for children, older adults, patients who are unable to respond, and patients with opioid tolerance (Jensen, 2011). The nurse should be familiar with these methods of pain assessment and know the appropriate use of each. Incorrect medication and treatment choices due to inaccurate or poor pain assessment cause patient suffering (Jensen,
Sarah came in on 2/22/18 complaining of vaginal pain and had a rash. She tested positive for hepatitis. On 2/21/18, Sarah took a bath and went to church. While at church she stated having pain and called Patricia to get her. The next day she still was in pain. The reporter examined Sarah, and she had wet soil dirt in the external of her vagina. She had grass and strass on the internal of her vagina. She had multiple redness blisters on the inside of her vagina. Sarah did not make contact, seem shy, and uncomfortable, this could have been due to having the exam done. Sarah told the reporter that she was sitting on the couch without panties on. She said she was not touched or had intercourse with anyone. Sarah is a little slow
Medical study is a combination of clinical experience and scientific research, which requires proof and evidence. These two components can help physiotherapists with diagnosis, provide treatments for patients and making clinical decision. However, what are the ways for individuals to testify the effectiveness of these methods and treatments? Is there scientific evidence proving the information is correct and up to date? How helpful and appropriate are these methods and treatments to the patients? Hence evidence-based practice is necessary. It has a strong impact in physiotherapy, to ensure researches are more focused and relevant to physiotherapists and as a guiding principle to practice and treatment of patients.