1. Each person experiences pain differently. Explain to your classmates why this is.
2. What can you explain to your CNA peers to help them identify if a resident is experiencing pain and how they can assist them as a CNA?
3. Give your classmates some examples of questions they could ask the residents regarding pain.
1. Pain perception is subjective and can be influenced by a variety of factors such as genetics, past experiences, cultural beliefs, and emotional state. This means that each person's perception and experience of pain can vary greatly. For example, someone who has a high pain tolerance may not feel as much pain as someone with a lower pain tolerance even if they have the same injury. Additionally, factors like age and underlying health conditions can also affect how someone experiences pain.
2. As a CNA, it is important to be able to recognize when a resident is experiencing pain. Signs to look out for include grimacing, restlessness, changes in behavior or mood, decreased appetite, and difficulty sleeping. When assisting a resident who is in pain, CNAs can provide comfort measures such as adjusting the resident's position, providing pain medication as prescribed, and offering emotional support. It is crucial to communicate any observations of pain to the healthcare team to ensure proper management.
3. When speaking to residents about their pain, CNAs can ask open-ended questions to encourage them to express their feelings and experiences. Some examples of questions to ask include:
- Can you describe the pain you are feeling?
- When did the pain start and how long has it been going on?
- On a scale of 0-10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable, how would you rate your pain?
- Are there any activities or movements that make the pain better or worse?
- Have you tried any pain relief methods that have been helpful?