Optimizing Pain Management in Nursing

Did you know that pain control is one of the most common reasons for seeking medical care in hospitals, specifically emergency departments? Pain doesn’t discriminate, and optimizing pain management in nursing can be a rewarding yet challenging experience.

As we recognize Pain Awareness Month this September, let’s explore the pain management scales, helpful tips for nurses to optimize pain management, and resources for pain management, including non-pharmacological options. of the 2010s, disregarding patients’ use of natural medicine is so last decade. As the health care evolves, using holistic care and natural medicine into daily practice has become more prevalent.

The American Pain Consortium notes that pain scales originally consisted of a 0 to 10 scale to study pain in a scientific manner. This remains the most commonly used tool to assess patients’ pain. Pain is a subjective assessment in general; however, it can be identified as an objective assessment for data purposes. The difficulty with the pain scale is that the number can change quickly. Over time, this may create a pain management plan that is suboptimal.

The Military Health System has developed a new pain management scale called the Defense and Veterans Pain Rating Scale (DVPRS). with the intention to build better long-term pain management plans for adults.

While still providing a numerical value, the DVPRS scale also assesses the impact of pain on specific domains, including sleep, activity, mood, and stress.

Assessing pediatric pain is considerably different. For example, children often do not state whether or not their pain is keeping them awake at night. Instead, their parent(s) may assume poor sleep is related to pain. When attempting to understand pediatric pain, the Wong-Baker Faces scale is the most utilized scale, mostly because it can be used by patients 3 years old and up. A child can point to the face in a photo that most represents how they currently feel in relation to pain.

Another commonly used pediatric pain scale is the FLACC pain scale. It measures pain levels in nonverbal or preverbal patients in five categories: face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability. The target population for the FLACC scale is those between the ages of 2 months and 18 years.

Because nurses spend a significant amount of time optimizing patient pain control, they should be well versed in pain scales as well as assessment and management techniques. This includes attitudes and beliefs regarding pain management.

Optimizing pain management includes many components. For example, cultural influences play a role in how pain is experienced and managed. Our course, The Intersection of Pain and Culture, can help you further understand how pain can be devalued and stigmatized, which only hinders the pain management plan. Here are some tips to help optimize pain management as a nurse.

1. Pain Management Education

Pain management can help improve the quality of life for many patients, so education on the matter should be of the utmost importance. Nurses should be knowledgeable regarding the pharmacological and non-pharmacological tools used in a patient’s care plan.

Nurses also have the opportunity to educate patients and their families or caregivers to prevent undertreatment of pain and reduce the negative effects undertreated pain may have. Patient education should include instructions not to deviate from the plan without talking to the care team, as this could negatively affect the ideal outcome.

If pharmacological management of pain is necessary, nurses should ensure the patient properly understands their medication, how to properly administer the medication, and the potential side effects. Chronic Pain Syndromes: Current Concepts and Treatment Strategies provides detailed concepts and strategies that can be deployed by nurses to improve the pain management plan.

Also check out our pain management special offer, our new OnDemand webinar, and other pharmacology courses to bridge any gaps for optimizing for pain management.

2. Activity and Relaxation

Activity can be beneficial for pain management. Long ago, it was advised to just rest if you felt sore. How many times have you just rested and felt more sore? I know it has happed to me after I have run half marathons. Activity, regardless of rigorous or light, can improve strengthening and flexibility, but also reduce stress and prevent further injury. Light gardening, swimming, or even dancing are options for activity. Patients should be instructed to consult with their care team prior to starting a new activity regimen.

Relaxation techniques are underutilized in pain management. Relaxation reduces stress both physically and mentally. Relaxation can include meditation, deep breathing exercises, mindfulness practices, or even massage. Self-care and stress management can considerably improve the overall quality of life in many patients dealing with acute, chronic, or acute-on-chronic pain.

3. Nutrition

As with many aspects of health, proper nutrition can play a role in optimizing pain management in nursing. Having a balanced diet with proper nutrients can help decrease inflammation, improve mood and sleep, boost energy levels, and support the immune system to promote healing. Nurses who recommend a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains can help support better patient outcomes.

Nurses often spend significant time with their patients. Therefore, nurses can become the support person and patient advocate. Optimizing pain management in nursing takes time and dedication to fully understand pain from a physical and mental standpoint.

Providing education to the patient often leads to a better relationship and an opportunity for the patient to be more willing to follow through with their plan. Nurses should work with the patient, pain management provider, and all members of the care team to ensure the pain management plan is ideal for the patient.

Optimizing Pain Management in Nursing

Understanding the Pain Scale

Tips to Optimize Pain Management

How to Continue Optimizing Pain Management

Pain Management Resources

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