Essay
EBP essay
- Course
- NURS 110 (NURS110)
- Institution
- Harford Community College
This is an essay I wrote on an EBP for pain management on older adults
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SUAREZ 1Karen Adriana Suarez
Professor Kristen McCreary
Lab
10-07-2023
Pain Management Nursing practice assessment: In older adults with dementia EBP
Pain and dementia are prevalent concerns among older adults, significantly impacting their
quality of life. Chronic pain, particularly in bones and joints, is a common issue, affecting a
substantial percentage of older individuals in Spain, ranging from 25% to as high as 93%
depending on their living situation. Managing pain in older individuals with dementia is
challenging due to their difficulty in recognizing and expressing pain, often manifesting as
behavioral changes mistaken for dementia symptoms. Regrettably, behavioral symptoms may
sometimes be treated with antipsychotic medications instead of pain relief, leading to further
problems like sleep disturbances and reduced physical activity. Effectively monitoring and
managing pain in older dementia patients is crucial for their overall health and well-being.
To ensure effective pain management, pain should be regarded as a vital sign, akin to
blood pressure and heart rate. While the American Pain Society designated pain as the "5th
vital sign" in 1996, this concept is not always put into practice due to inadequate training
among healthcare professionals. For individuals with dementia, a critical step is direct inquiry
about their pain using simple scales when communication is possible, with support from
caregivers. When communication is not feasible, nurses rely on behavioral observation scales
to assess pain. Once pain is identified, it is treated with tailored medications or non-drug
therapies, often complemented by trained professionals like nurses. Post-treatment, pain is
reassessed and documented to monitor progress and evaluate treatment response. Despite
advancements in pain management for dementia patients, limited research has been
conducted on nursing records related to this topic.
, SUAREZ 2
The study in question aimed to assess pain management for older adults with
dementia through a review of electronic health records in an Acute Geriatrics Unit,
investigating the frequency of pain checks, treatment approaches, post-treatment assessments,
and factors influencing pain management.This study focused on dementia patients in a
geriatric unit in a Spanish hospital, specifically those aged 65 and older, admitted between
January and March 2018. The unit specializes in caring for elderly patients with cognitive
impairments and chronic conditions, collecting data on patient demographics, reasons for
hospitalization, and types of dementia. Pain assessment was conducted at least daily,
following the hospital's protocol, with nurses documenting these assessments and adapting
care plans based on the results to ensure patients' well-being.
In the study, nurses used various statistical methods to analyze data, maintaining a
95% confidence level for their results. The study received ethical approval, and patient data
were anonymized for privacy. The research focused on 111 elderly dementia patients, with an
average age of 87, finding connections between factors like gender, reasons for admission,
and pain medication. Nurses assessed pain upon admission and throughout the day, but there
was some variation among shifts. Communication of pain through scales influenced the level
of attention and medication given. Overall, the study suggests a need for standardized pain
management for dementia patients. The results are based on one specific hospital unit and
may not be universally applicable. In conclusion, the study highlights variations in pain
treatment for dementia patients, emphasizing the importance of consistent attention to pain as
a vital sign and exploring the impact of admission reasons and gender on pain medication.
I believe the Clinical study was somewhat ineffective, as no elder adults came into the
study with pain, but about 1% of them came out with pain. I would change the conditions of
the environment that the elder adults were in, as they obviously did not do well in them. I was
surprised that the nightshift nurses checked the elder adult;s pain more than the day shift
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