Articles: pain-measurement.
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Chronic pain in elderly people has only recently begun to receive serious empirical consideration. There is compelling evidence that a significant majority of the elderly experience pain which may interfere with normal functioning. ⋯ Three significant factors which may contribute to this are (1) lack of proper pain assessment; (2) potential risks of pharmacotherapy in the elderly; and (3) misconceptions regarding both the efficacy of nonpharmacological pain management strategies and the attitudes of the elderly towards such treatments. In this review the most commonly used assessment instruments and patterns of age differences in the experience of chronic pain are described and evidence for the efficacy of psychological pain management strategies for this group is reviewed.
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To examine pain-related constructs, illness related constructs, and the particular importance of the physical examination as integrative steps in a comprehensive pain assessment. ⋯ The nurse's understanding of pain-related constructs, illness-related constructs, and the importance of the physical examination will help provide strategies for pain management that are most likely to offer both pain relief and improved quality of life.
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To examine issues related to the assessment of pain, symptoms and functional status in patients with cancer and the timing of assessment and appropriate tools to collect this information. ⋯ For pain to be evaluated and treated effectively, regular consistent assessment of pain by the clinician is imperative. This comprehensive assessment allows the clinician to choose modalities most likely to work for the individual patient.