Question

Do you know anyone with chronic pain?what can you you do as nurses to assist these patients that believe they have no where to go during the opioid crisis? How can the opioid crisis be addressed, while encompassing chronic pain patients?

Answer 1

Yes my maternal grandfather suffers from chronic back pain due to problems in his disc . As a nurse a step by step approach is used in case of chronic pain cases . Let us discuss them one by one .

• First step is the assessment. Assessment involves the quality of pain ,location ,severity , time factor ,relieving factors and increasing factors .
• Then the next step involves answering any appetite , sleep pattern changes .
• In the next step patients' perception about the pain and experience is assessed .
• Now in the intervention process the patient is told to maintain a diary to note down the pain frequency and timings .
• Acceptance of the pain of patients .
• Helping the patient to choose a specific pain management therapy
• Patient can be provided with three treatment options or medication options such as analgesics (opioids), Non opioids and non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs
• Educating patient about the pain management techniques and procedures
• Using non pharmacological treatments to handle the pain such as massages , hot and cold presses
• Planning care activities
• Providing emotional support and validating the pain and issues associated with it .

Opioid crisis can be addressed through the below mentioned ways

• Strict drug prescription and drug usage rules and laws
• Proper drug disposal
• Effective drug addiction programs .
• Usage of non pharmacological treatments
• Awareness about opioid addiction