Lifespan
Comfort Theory
Alterations & Manifestations
Nursing 101
Do something about it!
100

Have a difficult time describing/displaying pain.

Utilize role playing and through description of all interventions.

Respond well to therapeutic touch.

What are Lifespan Considerations for Children.

100

Related to bodily sensations and homeostatic mechanisms.

What is Physical Comfort?

100

Physical

Emotional

Psychospiritual

Sociocultural

Environmental


What are sources of discomfort.

Examples for each.....

100

The Fifth vital sign.

What is Pain

100

Applying heat/cold, washing a patient's hair, singing a song to a crying child, holding an anxious patient's hand, repositioning

What are nursing comfort interventions?

*Initial interventions directed at identifying source of discomfort.

200

May reject offer to comfort.

Awareness of risk-taking behaviors and defiance expected for this developmental age.

Nurture their independence and autonomy with appropriate developmental level communication. 

What are Lifespan Considerations for Adolescents.

200

SNS Responses, Presence or absence of pain, Degree of sleep and rest, Balance of nutrition/fluids, Perception of safety, privacy, and dignity, Sensory perceptions, Body language

What is Normal Presentation of Comfort.

200

Can directly affect an individual's susceptibility to disease and discomfort, their perception of pain, their ability to sleep/rest, or their emotional responses.

What are Genetic Considerations.

Are these modifiable???

**Xrays, blood work, sleep studies to identify underlying cause.

200

Elevated HR and/or BP, diaphoresis, anxious, hyperventilation, hyperactivity, uncontrollable crying/yelling/profanity.

What is Objective Pain Assessment Data. 

200

Teaching patient lifestyle changes to decrease pain, depression, fatigue.

What is Health Promotion?

300

Display comfort through crying.

Comforted by holding/rocking, soothing words/sounds, and/or rubbing/patting their torso.

What are Lifespan Considerations of Infants & Toddlers.

**Many pain medications have no dosing instructions for <2 y/o

300

Related to external surroundings.

What is Environmental Comfort?

300

Wong-Baker Faces, FLACC, CRIES, Numeric, and Verbal Descriptor 

What are Pain Assessment Scales.

300

Obvious signs of discomfort, PQRST, Patient history, Lifestyle, and Occupation

What is Observation and Patient Interview.

What are obvious signs of discomfort???

300

Provide restful environment, maintaining regular sleep-wake patterns, minimizing environmental stimuli, and grouping care interventions.

What is Promoting Sleep Hygiene.

400

Require teaching and instruction continuously.

Health promotion directed towards safety, functional mobility, disease management, and nutrition.

What are Lifespan Considerations of the Older Adult.

400

Related to family and social relationships.

What is Sociocultural Comfort?

400

Highly dependent on developmental age, sensory processing, and diagnosis(s).

What is Patient Comfort/Pain Perception.

***Fibromyalgia, ASD, MS, Osteo/RA.

Can you think of any others???

400

Opioids, NSAID's, Non-opioids

What are Pharmacologic Therapies for Discomfort or Pain.

400

Teaching breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, imagery and movement techniques. Or implementing massage, acupuncture, and meditation.

What are Relaxation Techniques.

500

Require additional time to explain normal expectations and answer questions.

Teaching directed towards optimal nutrition, hydration, sleep and rest, with tips of sleeping positions to ease discomfort.

What are Lifespan Considerations for Pregnant Woman.

500

Related to the individual awareness of oneself and ones relationship to a higher being.

What is Psychospiritual Comfort?

500

Denial of pain or discomfort.

Thought process that pain or discomfort is a punishment.

Thought process that pain or discomfort is not spoke about.

What are Cultural & Diversity influencers on pain.

500

Arrange visit from spiritual leader and/or loved ones.

Management of Pain/discomfort <4/10 at all times.

Care directed towards optimal comfort.

Facilitate referrals for grief counseling. 

What are End-of-Life Interventions.

500

Nutritional/herbal supplements, physical therapy, medical marijuana, exercise programs, and aquatic therapy.

What are Nonpharmacologic Collaborative Therapies.