Pain Identification & Management Worksheet
Name: ______
Date: ______
Name of Trainer: ______
Name of Company: Clinical Update (NZ) Ltd
What is pain?
A feeling triggered by the nervous system
What is pain threshold?
Point at which pain is felt
What is pain tolerance?
is the amount of pain a person can handle without breaking down, either physically or emotionally
What does pain tell you?
a symptom or sign that something is wrong – an underlying medical problem
What is Acute pain and how long does it last?
Less than 30 days
What is Chronic Pain?Ffor weeks, months or even years
List 4 signs a person in pain will display?
Verbal
Complaining of pain
Crying or whimpering
Groaning
Screaming out
Facial Expression n- Any 4 of these
Grimacing
Frowning
Look tense
Eyes wide open or
Closed shut
Look frightened
Body Language – Any 4 of these
Fidgeting
Rocking
Rolling around the bed
Holding part of their body
Withdrawn
Behavioural
More confused
Refusing to eat or drink
Change in their usual pattern
Pulling away from people
Physiological
Temperature
Pulse
Breathing
Perspiring
Skin
Blood pressure
Physical
- Skin Tear
- Wounds & Ulcers – leg or pressure
- Arthritis
- Contractures – hand or leg
- Fractures
What are the 6 questions to ask a person about their pain? (Pain Checklist)
Where is the pain?
How long have they had it or when did you first notice a person may have had pain?
Is it present all the time or does it come and go?
Is it stabbing like a knife being pushed in?
Does it feel like a dull ache?
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the worst pain you have ever felt, how painful is it? or
What else may you use as a way to determine how bad the pain is for a person?
Mosby Pain Scale
Name 3 things that can help someone who has Acute Pain – Any 3 of these
- Heat pack
- Ice
- Rest
- Exercise
- Gentle massage
- Medication – last resort
Name 3 things that can help someone with Chronic Pain – Any 3 of these
- Tens Machine
- Stronger medication
- Hypnotherapy
- Psychotherapy
- Counselling
- Acupuncture
What are the two causes of emotional pain?
Loss and Grief
List the 4 behaviours you may see in a person with emotional pain? Any 4 of these
- Anger
- Frustration
- Anxiety and Depression
- Crying
- Sadness and remorse
- Loneliness and withdrawl
- Loss and despair
Give 4 examples of treatment that may help a person suffering from emotional pain. Any 4 of these
- Love
- Kindness
- Compassion
- Comfort
- Companionship
- Understanding
Name 3 things that you can do to help a person complaining of pain
- Music
- Aromatherapy
- Massage
- Flower Essence
Name 3 things you must not do when a person is complaining of pain? (summary)
Treat acute pain with the simple things first
Always assist a person with chronic pain to be pain free.
Never with-hold medication prescribed to a person
Never judge another’s pain on your own pain threshold or tolerance.
© Clinical Update (NZ) Ltd 2009 Reviewed Nov
To be used in conjunction with Pain Identification & Management workshop