Unit Hsc 2003 Provide Support to Manage Pain and Discomfort

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Outcome 1 Understand approaches to managing pain and discomfort: Holistic approach to managing pain and discomfort: If person is lack of capacity to explain pain (dementia or mental problems) It is imortant a holistic view to managing the pain. Using pain killers if GP suggest is to minimase pain. Agreed ways of working that relate to managing pain and discomfort: Pain awareness All healthcare professionals should be alert to the possibility of pain in older people, and to the fact that older people are often reluctant to acknowledge and report pain. Pain enquiry Any health assessment should include enquiry about pain, using a range of alternative descriptors (eg sore, hurting, aching). Pain description Where pain is present, a detailed clinical assessment of the multidimensional aspects of pain should be undertaken including: • sensory dimension: the nature, location and intensity of pain • affective dimension: the emotional component and response to pain • impact: on functioning at the level of activities and participation. Pain location An attempt to locate pain should be made by: • asking the patient to point to the area on themselves • the use of pain maps to define the location and the extent of pain. Pain intensity Pain assessment should routinely include the use of a standardised intensity rating scale, preferably a simple verbal descriptor scale or a numeric rating scale, if the person is able to use these. Communication Every effort should be made to facilitate communication particularly with those people with sensory impairments (use of hearing aids, glasses etc). Self-report assessment scales should be offered in an accessible format to suit the strengths of the individual. Assessment in people with impaired cognition/communication People with moderate to severe communication problems should be offered

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