- Ongoing monitoring and evaluation of a person’s response to pain management interventions is necessary to adjust the strategies and ensure effective pain control and minimization of adverse effects
- The intensity of monitoring (frequency and duration) depends on a person’s risk profile and the onset and duration of action or potential adverse effects of the interventions (pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic [physical, or psychological])
- Monitoring the person’s health outcomes such as presence and severity of pain, impacts to function and mobility after pain management interventions is required to determine if there is a need to modify care
- The American Society for Pain Management Nursing Guidelines recommend hospitalized persons have routine sedation and respiratory assessments whether they are awake or asleep, to monitor for unintended sedation and to avoid the risk of respiratory depression.
Clinical Management
Assessment and Management of Pain - 3rd Edition
Point of Care Resources