Assessment and treatment of postoperative pain in older adults

Barbara Rakel; Keela Herr

doi:10.1016/j.jopan.2004.03.005

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Assessment and treatment of postoperative pain in older adults

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Assessment and treatment of postoperative pain in older adults

Barbara Rakel and Keela Herr

Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, Vol.19(3), pp.194-208

06/01/2004

DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2004.03.005

PMID: 15195278

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Abstract

Hospitals are experiencing an increase in surgical procedures aimed at improving function and quality of life for elders. However, recent reports of pain management practices of elder patients show that pain is underassessed and undertreated. High postoperative pain intensities have been associated with delayed ambulation, postoperative pulmonary complications, increased hospital length of stay, long-term functional impairment, and chronic pain syndromes in this age group. Aggressive pain control is needed, but challenges in assessing and treating pain in older adults make this difficult. The purpose of this article is to review strategies for assessing and treating postoperative pain in older adults. Attention is given to the challenges associated with mental and physical impairments experienced by elders and a review of assessment and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies are included.

Nursing

Analgesics

Opioid -- Administration and Dosage -- In Old Age

Pain Measurement -- In Old Age

Postoperative Pain -- Drug Therapy -- In Old Age

Acetaminophen -- Administration and Dosage

Administration

Intravenous

Aged

Analgesia

Epidural

Opioid -- Adverse Effects

Clinical Assessment Tools

Cox-2 Inhibitors

Funding Source

Guided Imagery

Heat-Cold Application

Injections

Intramuscular

Massage

Morphine -- Administration and Dosage

Music Therapy

Patient Education

Patient-Controlled Analgesia

Postoperative Pain -- Complications

Relaxation Techniques

Research

Self Report

Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

Details

Title: Subtitle: Assessment and treatment of postoperative pain in older adults
Creators: Barbara Rakel - University of Iowa
Keela Herr
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, Vol.19(3), pp.194-208
DOI: 10.1016/j.jopan.2004.03.005
PMID: 15195278
ISSN: 1089-9472
Language: English
Date published: 06/01/2004
Academic Unit: Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science; Nursing; Nursing Administration and Gen
Record Identifier: 9983557104802771

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