Pain Management Take Aways Flashcards
What is the nurse’s role in pain management?
Be a patient advocate
Recognize the unique nature of pain
Assist in selecting appropriate pain therapies
Types of pain
Neuropathic (nerve), Nociceptive (visceral & somatic), acute, chronic, & mixed
Pain can be composed of multiple types
What is the mist effective pain management strategy?
Multimodal approach combining both pharmacological & nonpharmacological strategies
What are the types of analgesics?
Opioids, nonopioids (OTC), & adjuvants (coanalgesics)
What is the preferred method for administrating pharmacological agents?
ATC as opposed to PRN
What is the current pharmacological approach to acute & chronic pain management?
Provide multimodal analgesia (drugs w at least 2 different mechanisms of action)
Cultural considerations in pain management
Patient’s w different cultural backgrounds may have a difficult time expressing pain
Offer interpreters as needed
Have an attitude of dignity & caring
How often should you reassess pain?
At peak of pharmacological agent
What pain therapies can be delivered solely by the nurse
nonpharmacological therapues
Complementary therapies
Conventional & nonpharmacological therapies administered together
Alternative therapies
Nonpharmacological therapies used in place of comventional medicine
What is used to treat moderate & severe cancer pain
Opioids
Signs & symptoms of addiction
Cravings, loss of control, neglecting responsibilities, continued use regardless of problems, withdrawal, developing tolerance
What is respiratory depression
Opioids depress CNS leading to inadequate breathing
Naloxone
opioid antagonist used to reverse overdoses; duration of actions shorter than opioids
Procedure for respiratory depression
Check respiratory rate, assess for cyanosis
Stop opioids, provide oxygen
Position in fowlers
Administer naloxone
Notify provider
Procedure for sedation
Assess patient’s LOC, responsiveness, & respiratory rate
Stop opioids, protect air way
Administer naloxone if needed
Notify provider
PCA
Allows patient to self administer analgesic w/o risk of overmedicating, showcases attempts
Epidural analgesics
Manages acute pain during labor, pain after surgery, pain after trauma to chest, abdomen, pelvis, lower limbs, or chronic cancer pain
Local infusion pumps
Deliver anesthetic into surgical wound site to maintain analgesia during/after surgery
Moist heat
Increase muscle & ligament flexibility, promote relaxation & healing, relieve spasms, joint stiffness, & pain
Dry heat
Reduce pain & increases healing by increasing blood flow in tissue; can be used at a low level for longer periods
Cold therapy
Treats inflammation to injuries; reduces edema, hematoma, muscle spasms, tissue metabolism, enzymatic activity & pain
