Transcript Example
Pain: The Fifth Vital Sign
Definitions of Pain
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience
associated with actual or potential tissue damage.
Pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is and exists
whenever he or she says it does (McCaffery, 1999).
Self-report is always the most reliable indication of pain.
Types of Pain
Types of pain:
Acute pain
Chronic pain:
Chronic cancer pain
Chronic non-cancer pain
Sources of pain:
Nociceptive pain types:
Somatic pain
Visceral pain
Neuropathic pain
Pain Transmission
Attitudes and Practices Related to
Pain
Attitudes of health care providers and nurses affect
interaction with patients experiencing pain.
Many patients are reluctant to report pain:
Desire to be a “good” patient
Fear of addiction
Addiction, Pseudoaddiction, Tolerance,
and Physical Dependence
Addiction—primary, chronic neurobiologic disease with
genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing
its development and manifestations
Pseudoaddiction—iatrogenic syndrome created by the
undertreatment of pain
Tolerance—state of adaptation in which exposure to a drug
results in a decrease in one or more the drug’s effects over
time
Addiction, Pseudoaddiction, Tolerance, and
Physical Dependence (Cont’d)
Physical dependence—adaptation manifested by a drug-class–
specific withdrawal syndrome that can be produced by abrupt
cessation, rapid dose reduction, decreasing blood level of the drug,
and/or administration of an antagonist
Withdrawal or abstinence syndrome—N&V, abdominal cramping,
muscle twitching, profuse perspiration, delirium, and convulsions
Collaborative Management
History
Physical assessment/clinical manifestations:
Location of pain:
Localized pain
Projected pain
Radiating pain
Referred pain
Pain Pharmacologic Therapy—
Non-Opioid Analgesics
Acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are
most common
Most are NSAIDs, including aspirin:
Can cause GI disturbances
COX-2 inhibitors for long-term use
Non-Opioid Analgesics (Cont’d)
Acetaminophen (Tylenol):
Available in liquid form; can be taken on empty stomach
Preferable for patients for whom GI bleeding is likely
Can cause renal or liver toxicity if used long-term
Pain Pharmacologic Therapy—
Opioid Analgesics
Block the release of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord
Drugs include codeine, oxycodone, morphine,
hydromorphone, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol,
meperidine, oxymorphone
Side Effects of Opioids
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Sedation
Respiratory depression
WHO Analgesic Ladder
World Health Organization’s recommended guidelines for
prescribing, based on level of pain (1-10, 10 is most severe
pain)
Level 1 pain (1-3 rating)—Use non-opioids
Level 2 pain (4-6 rating)—Use weak opioids alone or in
combination with an adjuvant drug
Level 3 pain (7-10 rating)—Use strong opioids
Pain Management in End of Life
Opioid regimen should stay consistent with dose in weeks
before last weeks of life
Generally believed that patient still feels pain when
unconscious
Does not hasten death unless the dose was not properly and
gradually titrated
Routes of Opioid Administration
Can be administered by every route used
PRN range orders
Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
PCA Infusion Pump
Spinal Analgesia
Epidural analgesia
Intrathecal (subarachnoid) analgesia
Implantable Devices
Adjuvant Analgesics
Antiepileptic drugs
Tricyclic antidepressants
Antianxiety agents
Local anesthetics
Dextromethorphan, ketamine
Local anesthesia infusion pumps
Topical medications
Nonpharmacologic Interventions
Used alone or in combination with drug therapy
Physical measures
Physical and occupational therapy
Cognitive/behavioral measures
Physical Interventions
Cognitive/Behavioral Measures
Strategies that can be used to relieve pain as adjuncts to drug
therapy:
Distraction
Imagery
Relaxation techniques
Hypnosis
Acupuncture
Glucosamine
Invasive Techniques for Chronic Pain
Nerve blocks
Spinal cord stimulation
Surgical techniques:
Rhizotomy
Cordotomy
Surgical Procedures for the Alleviation
of Pain
Community-Based Care
Home care management
Health teaching
Health care resources
Care of Preoperative Patients
Preoperative Period
Begins when the patient is scheduled for surgery and
ends at the time of transfer to the surgical suite.
Nurse functions as educator, advocate, and promoter of
health and safety.
Reason for Surgery
Diagnostic
Curative
Restorative
Palliative
Cosmetic
Urgency and Degree of Risk of Surgery
Urgency:
Elective
Urgent
Emergent
Degree of Risk:
Minor
Major
Extent of Surgery
Simple
Radical
Minimally invasive
Collaborative Management
Assessment
History and data collection:
Age
Drugs and substance use
Medical history, including cardiac and pulmonary histories
Previous surgical procedures and anesthesia
Blood donations
Discharge planning
Physical Assessment/Clinical
Manifestations
Obtain baseline vital signs.
Focus on problem areas identified by the patient’s history
and on all body systems affected by the surgical
procedure.
Report any abnormal assessment findings to the surgeon
and to anesthesiology personnel.
System Assessment
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Renal/urinary system
Neurologic system
Musculoskeletal system
Nutritional status
Psychosocial assessment
Laboratory Assessment
Urinalysis
Blood type and crossmatch
Complete blood count or hemoglobin level and
hematocrit
Clotting studies
Electrolyte levels
Serum creatinine level
Pregnancy test
Chest x-ray examination
Electrocardiogram
Deficient Knowledge Interventions
Preoperative teaching.
Informed consent:
Surgeon is responsible for obtaining signed consent before
sedation and/or surgery.
The nurse’s role is to clarify facts presented by the physician
and dispel myths that the patient or family may have about
surgery.
Implementing Dietary Restrictions
NPO: Patient advised not to ingest anything by mouth for 6
to 8 hours before surgery:
Decreases the risk for aspiration.
Patients should be given written and oral directions to stress
adherence.
Surgery can be cancelled if not followed.
Administering Regularly Scheduled
Medications
Medical physician and anesthesia provider should be
consulted for instructions about regularly taken
prescriptions before surgery.
Drugs for certain conditions often allowed with a sip of
water before surgery:
Cardiac disease
Respiratory disease
Seizures
Hypertension
Intestinal Preparation
Bowel or intestinal preparations performed to prevent
injury to the colon and to reduce the number of intestinal
bacteria.
Enema or laxative may be ordered by the physician.
Skin Preparation
A break in the skin increases risk for infection.
Patient may be asked to shower using antiseptic solution.
Skin Preparation for Common Surgical
Sites
Patient and Family Teaching
Tubes
Drains
Vascular access
Prevention of Respiratory
Complications
Breathing exercises
Incentive spirometry
Coughing and splinting
Patient Using Incentive Spirometer
Prevention of Cardiovascular
Complications
Be aware of patients at greater risk for DVT
Antiembolism stockings
Pneumatic compression devices
Leg exercises
Mobility
External Pneumatic Compression
Devices
Anxiety Interventions
Preoperative teaching
Encouraging communication
Promoting rest
Using distraction
Teaching family members
Preoperative Chart Review
Ensure all documentation, preoperative procedures, and
orders are complete.
Check the surgical consent form and others for
completeness.
Document allergies.
Document height and weight.
Preoperative Chart Review (Cont’d)
Ensure results of all laboratory and diagnostic tests are on the
chart.
Document and report any abnormal results.
Report special needs and concerns.
Preoperative Patient Preparation
Patient should remove most clothing and wear a hospital
gown.
Valuables should remain with family member or be locked
up.
Tape rings in place if they cannot be removed.
Remove all pierced jewelry.
Preoperative Patient Preparation
(Cont’d)
Patient wears an identification band.
Dentures, prosthetic devices, hearing aids, contact lenses,
fingernail polish, and artificial nails must be removed.
Preoperative Drugs
Reduce anxiety
Promote relaxation
Reduce nasal and oral secretions
Prevent laryngospasm
Reduce vagal-induced bradycardia
Inhibit gastric secretion
Decrease the amount of anesthetic needed for the induction
and maintenance of anesthesia
Patient Transfer to Surgical Suite
Care of Intraoperative Patients
Members of the Surgical Team
Surgeon and surgical assistant
Anesthesia providers:
Anesthesiologist and CRNA
Holding area nurse
Circulating nurse
Scrub nurse
Surgical technologist
Specialty nurses
Operating Room
Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery
Environment of the Operating Room
Preparation of the surgical suite and team safety
Layout
Health and hygiene of the surgical team
Surgical attire
Surgical scrub
Surgical Asepsis
Surgical Scrub, Gowning, and Gloving
Anesthesia
Induced state of partial or total loss of sensation, occurring
with or without loss of consciousness
Used to block nerve impulse transmission, suppress reflexes,
promote muscle relaxation, and, in some cases, achieve a
controlled level of unconsciousness
General Anesthesia
Reversible loss of consciousness induced by inhibiting
neuronal impulses in several areas of the central nervous
system
Involves a single agent or a combination of agents
Four Stages of General Anesthesia
Stage 1—analgesia and sedation, relaxation
Stage 2—excitement, delirium
Stage 3—operative anesthesia, surgical anesthesia
Stage 4—danger
Emergence—recovery from anesthesia
Administration of General Anesthesia
Inhalation
IV injection
Balanced anesthesia
Adjuncts to general anesthetic agents: hypnotics, opioid
analgesics, neuromuscular blocking agents
Balanced Anesthesia
Combination of IV drugs and inhalation agents used to obtain
specific effects
Example: thiopental for induction, nitrous oxide for amnesia,
morphine for analgesia, and pancuronium for muscle
relaxation
Complications from General
Anesthesia
Malignant hyperthermia; possible treatment with dantrolene
Overdose
Unrecognized hypoventilation
Complications of specific anesthetic agents
Complications of intubation
Local Anesthesia
Briefly disrupts sensory nerve impulse transmission from a
specific body area or region
Delivered topically and by local infiltration
Patient remains conscious and able to follow instructions
Regional Anesthesia
Type of local anesthesia that blocks multiple peripheral
nerves in a specific body region
Field block
Nerve block
Spinal block
Epidural block
Nerve Block Sites
Spinal and Epidural Anesthesia
Complications of Local or Regional
Anesthesia
Anaphylaxis
Incorrect delivery technique
Systemic absorption
Overdose
Local complications
Treatment of Complications
Establish open airway.
Give oxygen.
Notify the surgeon.
Fast-acting barbiturate is usual treatment.
Epinephrine for unexplained bradycardia.
Conscious Sedation
IV delivery of sedative, hypnotic, and opioid drugs to
reduce the level of consciousness.
Patient maintains a patent airway and can respond to
verbal commands.
Amnesia action is short with rapid return to ADLs.
Etomidate, diazepam, midazolam, meperidine, fentanyl,
alfentanil, and morphine sulfate are the most commonly
used drugs.
Collaborative Management
Assessment
Medical record review
Allergies and previous reactions to anesthesia or transfusions
Autologous blood transfusion
Laboratory and diagnostic test results
Medical history and physical examination findings
Surgical Positions
Risk for Perioperative Positioning Injury
Interventions include:
Proper body position
Risk for pressure ulcer formation
Prevention of obstruction of circulation, respiration, and
nerve conduction
Impaired Skin Integrity and Impaired
Tissue Integrity
Interventions include:
Plastic adhesive drape
Skin closures, sutures and staples, nonabsorbable sutures
Insertion of drains
Application of dressing
Transfer of patient from the operating room table to a
stretcher
Common Skin Closures
Potential for Hypoventilation
Continuous monitoring of:
Breathing
Circulation
Cardiac rhythms
Blood pressure and heart rate
Continuous presence of an anesthesia provider