Abstract
Refractory pain is an elusive and often misunderstood symptom in palliative care. Often, persistent pain, labeled as refractory, requires more complex assessments and interventions than the physical symptom of pain. Proper assessment of the "whole person" can reveal psychological, social, spiritual, or existential concerns that contribute to the experience of pain. The purpose of this article is to review and present evidence, guidelines, and recommendations for treating older adults with suspected refractory pain. This case-based illustration of pain is specifically focused on the older adult who is suspected of having refractory pain and has undergone care setting transitions between the hospital and nursing home and provides strategies for clinicians in both settings to best assess and meet patient needs. Recognition, assessment, treatment, and goal-directed nursing implications are presented.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 516-521 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Discomfort
- Existential
- Psychosocial
- Refractory pain
- Spiritual
- Suffering
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Advanced and Specialized Nursing
- Community and Home Care
Cite this
Refractory cancer pain in a nursing home resident. / Carpenter, Joan G.; Berry, Patricia.
In: Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing, Vol. 14, No. 8, 12.2012, p. 516-521.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Refractory cancer pain in a nursing home resident
AU - Carpenter, Joan G.
AU - Berry, Patricia
PY - 2012/12
Y1 - 2012/12
N2 - Refractory pain is an elusive and often misunderstood symptom in palliative care. Often, persistent pain, labeled as refractory, requires more complex assessments and interventions than the physical symptom of pain. Proper assessment of the "whole person" can reveal psychological, social, spiritual, or existential concerns that contribute to the experience of pain. The purpose of this article is to review and present evidence, guidelines, and recommendations for treating older adults with suspected refractory pain. This case-based illustration of pain is specifically focused on the older adult who is suspected of having refractory pain and has undergone care setting transitions between the hospital and nursing home and provides strategies for clinicians in both settings to best assess and meet patient needs. Recognition, assessment, treatment, and goal-directed nursing implications are presented.
AB - Refractory pain is an elusive and often misunderstood symptom in palliative care. Often, persistent pain, labeled as refractory, requires more complex assessments and interventions than the physical symptom of pain. Proper assessment of the "whole person" can reveal psychological, social, spiritual, or existential concerns that contribute to the experience of pain. The purpose of this article is to review and present evidence, guidelines, and recommendations for treating older adults with suspected refractory pain. This case-based illustration of pain is specifically focused on the older adult who is suspected of having refractory pain and has undergone care setting transitions between the hospital and nursing home and provides strategies for clinicians in both settings to best assess and meet patient needs. Recognition, assessment, treatment, and goal-directed nursing implications are presented.
KW - Discomfort
KW - Existential
KW - Psychosocial
KW - Refractory pain
KW - Spiritual
KW - Suffering
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84870257356&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84870257356&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1097/NJH.0b013e318273b983
DO - 10.1097/NJH.0b013e318273b983
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84870257356
VL - 14
SP - 516
EP - 521
JO - Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing
JF - Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing
SN - 1522-2179
IS - 8
ER -