Pain must be assessed, treated, reassessed, and documented. Use the appropriate pain scale based on resident ability: numeric scale, faces scale, behavior-based scale, or dementia/nonverbal pain tool.
Nurse Responsibilities
- Assess location, intensity, duration, character, triggers, relief measures, and effect on function.
- Administer medication as ordered.
- Use non-pharmacologic interventions when appropriate.
- Reassess after intervention according to medication route and facility policy.
- Monitor for sedation, respiratory depression, constipation, confusion, falls, and adverse effects.
- Notify provider if pain is uncontrolled or new.