Pain Management

Course overview

In this course you will learn about how patients are ordinary people facing difficult circumstances as a result of illness or injury. As if being a patient isnt challenging enough, these people also have pain. Pain is sometimes so severe that it obliterates thought, paralyzes relationships, and crowds out any other priority but relief. Nurses are well positioned as patient advocates being able to do something about the pain. When patients are unable to express their need for pain relief, it is imperative that the nurse be especially observant. Nurses have a responsibility to provide and document, in accordance with the standard of care, the safety and efficacy of pain treatment prescribed to their patients. Pain influences all dimensions of the quality of life physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well being. Pain management nurses need to understand the complexity of the issues surrounding the debate of physician assisted suicide and euthanasia.