Nursing Care Plans Acute Pain

Acute pain is a temporary, typically sharp, and often sudden sensation. Acute pain can be caused by an injury or illness, and it generally resolves on its own within 3 months. This article will provide a framework for planning nursing care for acute pain in patients of all ages.

Defining Acute Pain

Acute pain is a type of pain that is not chronic. Acute pain is caused by a specific event and lasts for several months or weeks. The individual experiences this type of pain for a short period of time, usually within one year from when the cause occurred. Acute pain is usually not life-threatening, but it can be uncomfortable and annoying.

Planning for Care

The planning process is an important part of the nursing care plan. The nurse and patient work together to determine goals, interventions, and outcomes. When planning for pain management, the nurse must consult with the physician. If a drug such as morphine is prescribed by your doctor, it is important that you take this drug only under close supervision because it can be toxic if taken in large doses or for long periods of time.

It is also important for you to communicate with members of your healthcare team so they may help you manage your pain effectively and safely. In some cases where there are many people involved—for example: family members who live far away or home healthcare workers—you may wish to write down notes on how best they can assist during an episode of acute pain so they know what their role should be when caring for a loved one (or client).

Carrying out the Plan

• Explain the plan.
• Explain the nursing interventions.
• Explain the nursing assessments.
• Explain the patient outcomes.
• Explain the patient education.
• Discuss discharge planning and follow-up care to be continued at home by other health care providers (e.g., physical therapist).

Assessment of Care

• Assess the patient’s pain level using a standardized pain scale
• Assess the effectiveness of the patient’s pain management plan, including any non-narcotic medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as well as non-pharmacologic interventions (such as distraction techniques).
• Assess the safety of your patient’s current treatment for managing their pain. For example, if your patient is taking a narcotic medication for acute pain but does not have an advanced directive in place stating how they want to be treated in case of an emergency where they lose consciousness or cannot communicate with health care providers, this could be unsafe practice.
• If applicable: assess compliance in taking prescribed medications and performing recommended exercises/stretches under supervision from their nurse.

This a great resource if you want to learn more about acute pain management.

If you want to learn more about acute pain management, this is a great resource.

Acute pain is a significant problem in healthcare and is often underdiagnosed. Nurses who are able to recognize signs of it and provide appropriate treatment can help patients feel better faster, avoid complications, and return home sooner. This nursing care plan will help you identify acute pain and develop an individualized plan of care with goals specific to your patient’s needs