Assessing pain: a vital part of nursing care
Carr, E.
Nursing Times 93(38): 46-48
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-7762 PMID: 9362906 Document Number: 481278
Adequate pain relief cannot be achieved without professionals understanding how the pain affects the individuals concerned. This second of six weekly articles looks at how to deal effectively with pain. It considers issues of assessment and proposes a three-part model: always believe the patient, assess pain accurately using a reliable tool, and ask patients how they understand their pain. Next week's article will examine how patients' characteristics influence pain assessment.