Pain Assessment and Management

Introduction

Pain assessment involves a systematic evaluation of the patient's pain experience. This process helps healthcare providers understand the nature, location, intensity, and characteristics of the pain, as well as its impact on the patient's daily life. The assessment often employs tools such as pain scales (e.g., numeric rating scale, visual analog scale) to quantify pain intensity. Additionally, open-ended questions allow patients to describe their pain experience, including its onset, duration, triggers, and alleviating or exacerbating factors. Psychological and emotional aspects are also considered, as pain can affect mood, sleep, and overall well-being.