Fact or Myth
People who take pain medication (opioids) generally become addicted.
MYTH
Addiction to opioids as a result of pain management is uncommon.
True or False
Communication is a key component in good pain management.
True
Regular and thorough communication must occur between ALL people involved in the client's care.
True or False
A person’s pain is whatever they say it is and exists whenever and wherever they say it does.
True
This is a definition used by many pain management programs because it helps us focus on the subjective nature of pain.
True or False
Nursing is the only discipline that needs to be educated on pain.
False,
All healthcare providers are part of the team responsible for providing effective pain management.
Older adults tend to report more pain as they age.
MYTH
Many older adults tend NOT to report their pain because they think it is a normal part of growing older.
Name THREE reasons why families or caregivers may not want to support a pain management plan for a client in pain.
Mistakenly held beliefs
• Fear of addiction • Cultural values • Fear of side effects • Don’t want loved one to be “targeted” or “labeled” • Lack of information
Give THREE signs of pain that might be exhibited by clients who are unable to report pain.
•Vocal Cues (e.g., moaning) • Verbal Cues (e.g., ‘ouch’, ‘Stop!’, cursing) • Facial Cues (e.g., furrowed brow, clenched jaw) • Changes in movement (e.g., shifting positions, massaging painful body parts, protecting painful body parts during movement, clutching objects)
Name THREE things to discuss with the client and family when starting a pain management treatment plan.
•Benefits of effective pain management • Options available • Goals of treatment, including identifying the client’s goals and an acceptable level of pain • Side effects and their treatment • Cost (financial, emotional and/or physical) • Potential negative effects of pain • Pain symptoms – including nonverbal • Need for good communication
Effective pain control improves the ability to fight disease.
FACT
One side effect of unrelieved pain is a compromised immune system.
Name THREE barriers to good pain management by health care providers.
•Personal biases • Inadequate pain assessment skills • Lack of knowledge • Lack of time • Fear of client addiction
When should the nurse complete a comprehensive pain assessment?
• Admission/Readmission • Change in pain status or health status • Each shift assessment
What does OLDCARTS stand for?
Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Alleviating/Aggravating, Radiation, Timing, Severity