Lorin Fernandez
TESC
Health Assessment
NUR-416
Dr. Pamela S. Card
February 24, 2013
Introduction Cancer patients, end of life patients, patients with chronic diseases, and patients with a simple complaint of pain are all entitled to the best pain management available for their specific needs. This topic is of particularly important for nursing professionals who need to have the knowledge to adequately assess and manage a patient’s pain with the correct tools in the various clinical settings. Pain is not one dimensional; author Hughes presents a detailed article describing all three chronic pain syndromes that are relevant to palliative care. Authors Arbour and Gelinas provide a glimpse into the implementation of the newly created Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT). Arbour, C., & Gelinas, C. (2011, December). Setting Goals For Pain Management When Using A Behavioral Scale: Example With The Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool. Critical Care Nurse, 31(6), 66-68. http://dx.doi.org/Ebscohost The article presents the new implementation of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT). The CPOT was developed to help critical care nurses recognize pain in their critical nonverbal patients. The tool has been developed to help the healthcare provider assess the patient’s pain through a whole body assessment. The table incorporates a facial expression marker, body movement, ventilator assessment, and muscle tension evaluation. The scores are rated from 0 to 2 in each category with a total score from 0 to 8. The behavioral observational tool has been shown to be effective in helping nurses discriminate between pain and other states of anxiety or fear. Hughes, I. D. (2012, July). Assessment and management of pain in older patients receiving palliative care. Advanced illness, 24(6), 23-29. http://dx.doi.org/EbsCohost Palliative by
References: Arbour, C., & Gelinas, C. (2011, December). Setting Goals For Pain Management When Using A Behavioral Scale:Example With The Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool. Critical Care Nurse, 31(6), 66-68. http://dx.doi.org/Ebscohost Hughes, I. D. (2012, July). Assessment and management of pain in older patients receiving palliative care. Advanced illness, 24(6), 23-29. http://dx.doi.org/EbsCohost