Pain refers to an uncomfortable feeling that occurs when something hurts. If individuals complain of pain, they should be taken seriously and determine what can be undertaken to assist them. Firstly, I would examine the patient by asking them to give details about the pain, such as its location, duration, intensity, and alleviating factors. While the patient is describing their pain, a nurse can further ask whether it is dull, burning, or stabbing. The pain’s intensity can effectively be described on a scale of 1-10. 10 is the worst pain an individual can ever experience. When interrogating the location of pain, you should question whether the pain radiates from anywhere around the body. Pain duration can either be intermittent or constant. In addition, a nurse should ask if there is anything that makes the pain bearable or worse.
Upon assessment, the next step would be to review the patient’s medical history to find out why they might be experiencing the pain. I would also check on the earlier treatment of the patient if they ever experienced the pain. I would also consider the pharmacological and the non-pharmacological interventions which worked well for the patient. Non-pharmacological and non-opioid pharmacological treatments should be a priority choice in treating pain (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). The non-pharmacological techniques include distraction, exercise therapy, controlled breathing, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
If the pain persists, opioid therapy, such as high-dose therapy, can be considered. Remarkably, it is important to examine the patient’s preference in relation to opioids, their benefits, risks, and uses. When patients say, their pain is one on a scale of 1-10, controlled breathing may be enough therapy to address their pain. Contrastingly, if the patient states that their pain is 10/10, opioid management may be the best treatment course to get to the bottom of what is causing the pain.
Reference
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Nonopioid treatments for chronic pain: Alternative treatments fact sheet. Web.