We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Roles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What does a Pain Management Nurse do?

By Nat Robinson
Updated: Mar 02, 2024
Views: 11,709
Share

A pain management nurse provides care to individuals with varying levels of pain. The nurse may be assigned to work with individuals admitted to a hospital, or he or she may provide patient care on an outpatient basis. To become a pain management nurse, the person will need to enroll and graduate from an accredited nursing program. In order to practice nursing, he or she will also need to obtain a nursing license. Different regions have different requirements for acquiring this position.

The tasks of a pain management nurse can be numerous. In a hospital setting, the nurse will generally spend his or her days assessing pain and treating pain in patients. To access pain, the nurse may have a list of standard questions to ask the patient. Many medical facilities use a numbered scale to gauge the level of pain. The nurse may also perform a physical examination to test the sensitivity of the patient.

Nurses will also administer pain medications to treat pain. Although, the doctors generally prescribe the medicines, it is usually the nurse who administers it. As a pain management nurse, he or she will receive advanced training in pharmacology. For this reason, the nurse will be well versed on many types of medications. Most nurses will also be required to be very knowledgeable of the patient's medical records as well. This commonly includes the history of medicines previously taken, those taken currently and allergic reactions caused by any of the above.

Once the medication is administered, a pain management nurse will be responsible for monitoring pain. Usually, the nurse will check in on the patient at different intervals to look for any allergic reaction and to take his or her vital signs to see if the medication has caused a change in the patient's blood pressure, heart rate or oxygen level. The nurse may also continue to question the patient to see if the medicine has helped to relieve the pain. If the pain continues even after being medicated, this type of nurse is trained to provide additional measures to relieve pain. This may include increasing the dosage of medicine or trying an alternative medication, with the doctor's approval.

In an outpatient setting, a pain management nurse will provide patient education to instruct the patient on the proper ways to use medications safely at home. Outpatient care by this type of nurse may be provided to patients who have just had surgery or to individuals with chronic ongoing illnesses. In addition to educating the patient on his or her medicine and the proper way to take it, the nurse may also address the effectiveness of the drug. A nurse specializing in pain medication may work in a hospital, nursing home, outpatient clinic or as a self-employed individual.

Share
Practical Adult Insights is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.practicaladultinsights.com/what-does-a-pain-management-nurse-do.htm
Copy this link
Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Practical Adult Insights, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.