|
J Adv Nurs. 1995 Oct;22(4):663-9.
Assessing pain in elderly patients who cannot respond
verbally.
Simons W, Malabar R.
Care of the Elderly Unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Norfolk,
England.
Many patients cannot respond verbally and there is noted to
be an increase in disorientation and confusional states in
advanced age. The problem of pain assessment for this group is
therefore not only a large problem but potentially a growing
one. A pilot study was carried out to validate a chart for the
assessment and control of pain using observed pain behaviours.
The researchers studied elderly patients with a variety of
medical problems on three wards. The study was done by observing
pain behaviours, carrying out pain intervention and re-observing
later to verify the effectiveness or otherwise of the
intervention. If this had been successful in moderating the
behaviours it could reasonably be inferred that a method of
monitoring and comforting verbally unresponsive patients had
been found.
PMID: 8708184 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Return
to Roundtables
|
