Identify a family member or a friend, not a client, and conduct a pain assessment including the following:
Location
Duration
Quantity
Quality
Chronology
Aggravating factors
Alleviating factors
Associated phenomena
Write a summary of your assessment and identify two non-pharmacological nursing interventions that you might recommend.
Pain Assessment for Family Member/Friend
Individual:
– Name: [Insert Name]
– Relationship: Family Member/Friend
Pain Assessment:
1. Location:
– The individual reports pain in the lower back region, specifically on the right side near the waistline.
2. Duration:
– The pain has been persistent for the past two weeks, gradually worsening over time.
3. Quantity:
– On a scale of 1 to 10, the individual rates the pain as a 7, describing it as sharp and stabbing.
4. Quality:
– The pain is described as sharp, stabbing, and intermittent, often exacerbated by movement.
5. Chronology:
– The pain initially started as mild discomfort but has progressively worsened over the past two weeks.
6. Aggravating Factors:
– Movement, particularly bending or lifting heavy objects, exacerbates the pain.
– Prolonged sitting or standing also intensifies the discomfort.
7. Alleviating Factors:
– Resting and applying heat packs provide temporary relief.
– Gentle stretching exercises and walking help alleviate the pain to some extent.
8. Associated Phenomena:
– The individual reports occasional numbness and tingling sensations in the right leg, indicating possible nerve involvement.
Summary of Assessment:
Based on the pain assessment, it appears that the individual is experiencing localized back pain on the right side, exacerbated by movement and associated with occasional neurological symptoms like numbness and tingling.
Non-Pharmacological Nursing Interventions:
1. Physical Therapy:
– Recommend a tailored physical therapy program focusing on strengthening core muscles, improving posture, and enhancing flexibility to alleviate back pain and prevent further injury.
– Incorporate techniques such as stretches, gentle exercises, and manual therapy to address muscle imbalances and improve range of motion.
2. Heat Therapy:
– Suggest the use of heat therapy, such as warm compresses or heating pads, to help relax tight muscles and reduce pain and stiffness in the affected area.
– Advise on proper application techniques and duration of heat therapy sessions to maximize its therapeutic benefits.
By implementing physical therapy to address muscle imbalances and improve spinal health, along with heat therapy to alleviate muscle tension and discomfort, the individual can potentially experience relief from back pain and enhance overall well-being through non-pharmacological interventions.