Acute Pain Management in the Older Adult
Pain is a complex,
subjective, and multidimensional experience without objective biological
markers and is a prevalent problem in a growing segment of the population. In developed countries, older adults comprise
20% of the population and by 2050 is estimated to be a third of the
population. Research demonstrates older
adults receive significantly less analgesic medication than younger adults
experiencing similar painful conditions or procedures, leading to inadequate
pain relief in these older adults.
Undertreated acute pain correlates with poorer outcomes during hospital
stays including the development of persistent pain, longer length of stay in
the hospital, ineffective physical therapy sessions, ambulation delays, and
delirium
This evidence-based
practice guideline provides recommendations for the management of acute pain in
older adults. Studies have shown that
when evidence-based practice guidelines are effectively implemented, patient outcomes
improve and resource use declines.
Written 1997; Revised 2000; 2003; 2006;
2016.
Toolkit Included in Guideline:
- Pain
Intensity Rating Tools
- Strategies
for Obtaining Pain Intensity Report in Older Persons with Cognitive Impairment
- Checklist
of Non-Verbal Pain Indicators (CNPI)
- Pain
Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD)
- Screening
for Cognitive Impairment (Mini COG)
- Five-Item
Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-5)
- Functional
Pain Scale (modified)
- Brief
Pain Inventory Short Form
- CAGE
Questionnaire
- Types
of Pain and Examples
- Selected
Nonopioids Analgesics: Older Adult Dosage and Comparative Efficacy to Standards
- Opioid
Analgesics Commonly Used in Older Adults for Management of Mild to Moderate
Acute Pain
- Opioid
Analgesics Commonly Used in Older Adults for Management of Moderate to Severe Acute
Pain
- Risk
Factors for Opioid-Induced Respiratory Depression
- Pasero
Opioid-Induced Sedation Scale
- Jaw
Relaxation Technique
- Nursing
Interventions Classification (NIC): Pain Management – 1400
- Nursing
Outcomes Classification (NOC): Pain Control - 1605
- Knowledge
Assessment Test
- Process
Evaluation Monitor
- Outcomes
Monitor