Assessment of Pain
Effective pain control depends on the identification of the different TYPES of pain and the
careful TITRATION of the APPROPRIATE medication against EACH pain. Therefore, a
full and detailed assessment is the linchpin on which treatment depends. It should be
remembered that 1/3 of patients have 4 pains or more and not all pains are opioid
responsive. Assessment of pain identifies the CAUSES of pain. Level and intensity is a
measure of the EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MEDICATION. Therefore, level and intensity
of pain, while being of value, if estimated at the beginning of the assessment may lead the
practitioner to seek an increase in the existing medication, which may or may not be
appropriate.
A. Do you have any pain? Yes/No
B. Location of pain(s). Use body chart to map and number each pain.
C. Quality of each pain and state if continuous or intermittent.
(Quote patient's own words)
1.
2.
3. ________________________________________
4. ________________________________________
5. ________________________________________
6. ________________________________________
D. Present Pain Medication
1. ________________________________________
2. ________________________________________
3 ________________________________________
4. ________________________________________
5. ________________________________________
6 ________________________________________
E. Assess the effectiveness of each medication against each pain, e.g., "When you take your
_______tablet, does it completely relieve your pain, just ease it a little or does it not touch
the pain at all?"
F. What makes the pain better?
G. What makes the pain worse? ____________________________________________
Date: ____________
Signature of Assessor: ____________________________
M.A Carling © 2000 All Rights Reserved

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