1. Section II: Pain Assessment
Pain history
Acute
Chronic
Physical examination
Laboratory/diagnostic evaluation

2. Goals of Pain Assessment
Determine pain diagnosis
Etiology of pain
Nociceptive or neuropathic pain
Acute, chronic, acute on chronic
Response to pain interventions

3. Pain Assessment Vignette

4. Pain Experience Patient’s description of pain Language used:
Ache
Hurt
Pain
Location(s), intensity, quality, timing, aggravating/alleviating factors
Meaning of pain
How pain impacts quality of life
Paice, 2015; Pasero & McCaffery, 2011

5. Pain Experience (cont.)
Cultural considerations for pain
Medication use history
Current
Past
Psychosocial history
Substance use history
Goals of care

6. Physical Examination
Observation
Palpation
Auscultation
Percussion

7. Functional Assessment
Muscle tone
Coordination
Reflexes
Ability to perform self-care
Walking
Cooking

8. Laboratory/Diagnostic Evaluation
Rule out potentially treatable causes
Need for additional laboratory or radiographic evaluation is directed by the goals of care

9. Reassess Changes in pain Response to analgesics Make pain visible
Relief
Adverse effects
Make pain visible

10. Communicating Assessment Findings
Communication improves pain management
Describe location, intensity, limitations, and response to treatments
Describe effect on function
Document medications, efficacy, and adverse effects
Ask for suggestions, but be ready to make recommendations
Be objective
Paice., 2015;
Pasero & McCaffery, 2011