what are the signs and symptoms that your patient may be in pain

There are some signs and symptoms that a person may exhibit if they are in pain that can clue you in:

• Facial grimacing or a frown
• Writhing or constant shifting in bed
• Moaning, groaning, or whimpering
• Restlessness and agitation
• Appearing uneasy and tense, perhaps drawing their legs up or kicking
• Guarding the area of pain or withdrawing from touch to that area

Full Answer

What are some non-verbal signs of pain?

Recognizing Nonverbal Signs of Pain . Physical Changes: Wariness to move, psycho-motor inertia, protective of the painful area, change in muscle tone and body posture. Others Signs : High pitched and Incessant crying, irritability and restlessness, lack of interest in surroundings and unnaturally clingy to parents.

How to explain pain to patients?

Some words that can help you describe the way your pain feels include: 2

• Aching
• Cramping
• Fearful
• Gnawing
• Heavy
• Hot or burning
• Sharp
• Shooting
• Sickening
• Splitting

More items...

What are the physiological signs of pain?

• Facial grimacing or a frown
• Writhing or constant shifting in bed
• Moaning, groaning, or whimpering
• Restlessness and agitation
• Appearing uneasy and tense, perhaps drawing their legs up or kicking
• Guarding the area of pain or withdrawing from touch to that area

What are symptoms of severe pain?

The pain can lead to other symptoms, such as:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Poor sleep
• Feeling very tired or wiped out
• Irritability
• Guilt
• Loss of interest in sex
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Marriage or family problems
• Job loss

More items...

What are the signs of pain in a patient?

Assessing Non-Verbal SignsFacial grimacing or a frown.Writhing or constant shifting in bed.Moaning, groaning, or whimpering.Restlessness and agitation.Appearing uneasy and tense, perhaps drawing their legs up or kicking.Guarding the area of pain or withdrawing from touch to that area.

What are indicators of pain?

Observable indicators of pain include noticeable changes in behaviors and fluctuations in physiologic signs. Particularly, display of specific facial expressions, such as grimacing, frowning, and wincing, can be considered valid indicators of pain (Puntillo, Miaskowski, Kehrle, Stannard, Gleeson, & Nye, 1997).

Which signs or symptoms are related to chronic pain?

Symptoms of chronic pain syndromejoint pain.muscle aches.burning pain.fatigue.sleep problems.loss of stamina and flexibility, due to decreased activity.mood problems, including depression, anxiety, and irritability.

How do you check for pain?

How Do Doctors Find the Cause of Pain?CT scan: Computed tomography scans use X-rays and computers to produce an image of a cross-section of the body. ... MRI:Magnetic resonance imaging can give your doctor clear pictures without X-rays. ... Nerve blocks: These tests can treat and diagnose the cause of your pain.More items...

What is a pain assessment nursing?

Pain assessment: is a multidimensional observational assessment of a patients' experience of pain. Pain measurement tools: are instruments designed to measure pain.

Why is pain assessment important in nursing?

Accurate and reliable pain assessment is not only crucial to advocate for the patient but pain assessment also aids in determining the subsequent management and treatment strategies for the patient8.

What are the 8 characteristics of pain?

Patients should be asked to describe their pain in terms of the following characteristics: location, radiation, mode of onset, character, temporal pattern, exacerbating and relieving factors, and intensity. The Joint Commission updated the assessment of pain to include focusing on how it affects patients' function.

What are the 4 types of pain?

THE FOUR MAJOR TYPES OF PAIN:Nociceptive Pain: Typically the result of tissue injury. ... Inflammatory Pain: An abnormal inflammation caused by an inappropriate response by the body's immune system. ... Neuropathic Pain: Pain caused by nerve irritation. ... Functional Pain: Pain without obvious origin, but can cause pain.

What are the 10 most common conditions that have chronic pain?

Common types of chronic pain include:Arthritis, or joint pain.Back pain.Neck pain.Cancer pain near a tumor.Headaches, including migraines.Testicular pain (orchialgia).Lasting pain in scar tissue.Muscle pain all over (such as with fibromyalgia).More items...•

What are non verbal signs of pain?

How to recognize non-verbal pain cuesGrimacing, Pursed Lips, Furrowed Brow, Wrinkled Nose, Clasped Eyes.Moaning, Yelling, or Crying.Jaw Tightening.Grinding Teeth.Clenching Fists or Blankets.Flinching.Rapid or Unusual Breathing.Limping.More items...

What does it mean when someone is in pain?

A person in pain may make frowning faces, express sadness or cry. They may grimace, or have a tense or frightened expression. A clear indication of where their pain is can be evident when their expression changes when a part of the body is moved or touched.

What are the two types of pain?

There are two main types of pain that can occur, and knowing the difference can help explain what is wrong and how it should be treated. Acute pain refers to a recent onset and can usually be related to injury or disease.

How long does chronic pain last?

Chronic pain is a complex medical condition and the pain can often persist for longer than three months following intervention. It can continue after healing and is associated with long-standing functional and psychological impairment.

What does body language tell us?

Body language can tell a lot about a person and can be hard to hide. ‘Tells’ of pain include guarding and bracing and a person may also rub or hold a particular body part. A normally active or social person might become less active, or become very still.

What to look out for in an older person?

P. A. I. N – What To Look Out For. For an older person, it can sometimes be difficult to convey they are in pain – especially if their ability to communicate is impaired. However, pain is often hard to hide and there are signs that you can look out for to better understand a person’s condition.

Why does pain get worse when moving?

Sometimes, pain can be made worse when moving so they might move less, or change the way they move. Pain needs to be properly diagnosed so that appropriate and effective management strategies can be planned. If you suspect someone you care for is in pain, then it is advised that they seek medical attention.

Why is pain more common in older people?

The reason pain is more prevalent is because of the increasing prevalence of age-related disorders – such as dementia, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis to name a few. But what exactly is pain?

What causes pain in the body?

Learn the symptoms for different types of pain, so you can describe them to a doctor. Causes of Chronic Pain. Anything from a bad mattress to stomach ulcers can cause chronic pain. While it may begin with an injury or illness, pain can develop a psychological dimension once ...

What is pelvic pain?

Pelvic Pain Causes and Symptoms. Although pelvic pain often refers to pain in the region of women's internal reproductive organs, pelvic pain can be present in either sex and can stem from multiple causes.

What is phantom limb pain?

Phantom pain refers to the sensation of pain felt by patients who have had a limb amputated. Treatments are usually disappointing and do not provide relief. Read more about phantom limb pain. Compartment Syndrome. Learn about compartment syndrome causes, symptoms, and treatments. Pelvic Pain Causes and Symptoms.

What causes neck and shoulder pain?

Causes of Neck and Shoulder Pain. Neck and shoulder pain can be classified in many different ways. Learn how they are diagnosed and treated. Chronic Knee and Joint Pain. Arthritis that affects your “shock absorbers” is the cause of pain and disability in knee and hip joints that can lead to surgery. Click here.

Why does my hand hurt?

Hand pain has a wide variety of specific causes and treatments. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Learn about carpal tunnel syndrome's causes, symptoms, and treatments. Hip Pain: Causes and Symptoms. Despite its durability, the hip joint isn't indestructible. With age and use, the cartilage can wear down or become damaged.

Can a pinched nerve cause pain?

Burns differ in type and severity -- as does the pain. Click here for more about the symptoms and treatments of burn-related pain. Pinched nerves can sometimes lead to other conditions such as peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tennis elbow.

How long does pain last on MedicineNet?

See additional information. Chronic pain is pain (an unpleasant sense of discomfort) that persists or progresses over a long period of time. Chronic pain typically has persisted for at least three months.

What are the symptoms of pancreatitis?

There are two types of pancreatitis: acute and chronic. Symptoms of pancreatitis include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, and a rapid pulse. Treatment of pancreatitis often requires hospitalization.

How to tell if knee bursitis is infected?

If the knee bursa is not infected, knee bursitis may be treated with ice compresses, rest, and anti-inflammatory and pain medications.

What are the two types of headaches?

Headaches can be divided into two categories: primary headaches and secondary headaches. Migraine headaches, tension headaches, and cluster headaches are considered primary headaches. Secondary headaches are caused by disease. Headache symptoms vary with the headache type. Over-the-counter pain relievers provide short-term relief for most headaches.

Why do older people have chronic pain?

Chronic pain in older adults is often related to degenerative conditions that are caused by advancing age, including arthritis and wear and tear issues affecting the spine.

How to tell if you have a tinnitus?

Diagnosis is generally with a physical exam, X-rays, or possibly an MRI. Treatment generally includes physical therapy and time.

How to tell if you have a swollen thigh?

Symptoms and signs include pain, swelling, numbness, tingling, and loss of strength and flexibility. Treatment involves stopping the activity that's causing symptoms, adopting stretching and relaxation exercises, icing the affected area, and using pain relievers.

How do you know if you are in pain?

Others Signs: High pitched and Incessant crying, irritability and restlessness, lack of interest in surroundings and unnaturally clingy to parents. 2. Adults. Some of the most common non-verbal expressions of pain amongst adults include: Facial expressions: Facial grimacing and agitated facial expression.

What are nonverbal signs of pain?

Infants and toddlers do not possess the required communication skills to inform their caregivers about the existence of pain or the intensity of experienced pain for that matter. Till then, it is best for parents and medical experts to rely on some non-verbal signs such as: Facial Expressions: Forming ...

Why does pain go unmentioned verbally?

The existence and intensity of pain often goes unmentioned verbally due to severe physical weakness or mere incapability of some patients to express anything on account of their infancy or other physical restraints. However, it is possible for the medical team to look out for some key aspects in the person’s gestures that indicate existence ...

What is considered a severe case of pain?

When patient rates his pain levels between 1 to 3 it is considered as mild pain, between 4 to 7 is moderate pain, while 8 to 9 is referred to as a severe case of pain.

Who is responsible for identifying nonverbal pain?

It is responsibility of family, friends and caregivers to be the patient’s eyes and ears in identifying non-verbal signs of pain. The same may then be communicated to the doctors to start immediate treatment.

What does it mean when you have a heart attack and a liver cirrhosis?

For example, a heart attack is bound to give chest pain while a case of liver cirrhosis might mean severe pain in upper right abdomen. Caregivers should be alert to recognize situation of pain triggers in certain patients. For example, a patient may experience acute pain whenever he sleeps on his left side.

How to tell if you are in pain?

Be aware that the following challenging behaviors can all be signs of pain: 1 Cursing 2 Combativeness 3 Apathy and withdrawal from activities and interactions 4 Being high maintenance (seemingly difficult to please) 5 Wandering 6 Restlessness 7 Repeating behaviors or words

What is the most important component of pain assessment?

A critical component in evaluating pain is the knowledge of the person’s normal behavior and interactions with others. This information is often best provided by family, who can answer questions about typical mood and behavior, body posture, life-long history of pain and response to pain medications.

Why are PRN pain medications more likely to cause pain?

Because the person with dementia might not be able to express their pain well, or might not be aware of a gradual increase in discomfort until she's in a lot of pain, PRN pain medications are more likely to result in poorly controlled pain.

What is the standard for rating pain?

In the general population, the accepted standard for rating pain is to simply ask the person about their pain. This is more complicated in the person with dementia due to the gradual impairment of cognition and word-finding ability.

What are the challenges of dementia?

When caring for someone with dementia, one challenge is to determine if pain or another need such as loneliness, boredom, hunger, or a need to use the bathroom is causing the person’s distress. 5 

Why is it not a good practice to rate pain?

Asking a person with some confusion to rate their pain on a scale of 1 through 10 is not a good practice, as a rule, because there are too many choices and too many different interpretations of what each number might mean. A more appropriate assessment tool in pain is the face scale, where the person points to the face that best represents how they ...

Can you order pain medicine for dementia?

Either the person doesn't ask for it so she doesn't receive it, or she gets it later than would have been ideal and her pain is beyond what's normally controllable by the medication and dose prescribed. If at all possible, a routine order for pain medicine is preferable for the person with dementia.