CHAPTER 7 BASIC NURSING SKILLS

Cannot define someone else’s pain Pain is not a normal sign of aging Subjective feeling & an individual response People experience it differently Cultural beliefs Spirituality & faith Family & community support History of pain experiences & how cope Sustained pain can lead to: Withdrawal & isolation Depression 30 PAIN ACUTE PAIN  Usually brief  Goes away with healing  Usually easy to identify  May be slow or fast in onset  May be caused by injury or illness  Often increased pulse, blood pressure, & muscle tension with acute pain  Goal to eliminate cause CHRONIC PAIN  No predictable ending  Long standing  May follow acute pain  Lasts longer than 3 months  May be difficult to find cause  Often cannot be cured  Frequently undertreated  May be old complaint or may not complain at all  May observe withdrawal, depression, guarding  Likely no change in vital signs  May have no outward signs of pain  Goal to maintain function & quality of life 31 PAIN EVALUATION DESCRIPTIONS Pressing Pressure Piercing Radiating Sharp Shooting Squeezing Stabbing Stretching Tender Tingling Unbearable Uncomfortable Aching Burning Cramping Crushing Deep Dull Exhaustion Gnawing Miserable Nagging Numb Penetrating Throbbing 32 PAIN: FIFTH VITAL SIGN Resident has right to be comfortable Pain scale used What are some questions to ask resident? Where When did start Activity when started How long lasts What usually helps Ask to describe Pain is what the resident says it is—use their words Do not make personal judgments ab