Geriatric Pain Assessment in Older Adults
You may choose to write a paper or create a PowerPoint presentation from either of the two options below:
Write a paper or create a PowerPoint presentation (with embedded speaker notes) that identifies the components of a pain assessment in the older adult. Please include the following:
- What validated pain assessment tools are available to adequately assess older adults who are cognitively intact and applicable to those who may not be cognitively intact? How will you determine the ability of the patient to complete the pain interview or assessment if cognitive deficits are present? Some examples are the numeric rating scale (NRS), the verbal descriptor scale (VDS) or pain thermometer, and the faces pain scale-revised (FPS-R). How might these be appropriate or inappropriate?
- Using Beer’s Criteria and CDC guidance, identify and discuss the pain medications which are potentially inappropriate for the older adult, and make recommendations for alternative therapies for effective pain management which might be safer and also effective in this age group.
- How do the presence of any sensory deficits (e.g., eyesight, hearing, diminished peripheral touch/pain sensations) and assistive devices such as hearing aids impact the assessment, and how will you overcome these deficits if present?
- What specialized tools for neuropathic pain should be considered for older adults capable of verbal communication that are suspected of having neuropathic pain?
- How do evaluations of pain impact the older adult’s functioning (e.g., associated symptoms, sleep disturbance, appetite changes, physical activity changes, concentration, and relationships with others)? To view the grading rubric for this assignment, please visit the Grading Rubrics section of the Course Resources.
To view the grading rubric for this assignment, please visit the Grading Rubrics section of the Course Resources.
Assignment Requirements:
Before finalizing your work, you should:
- be sure to read the assignment description above carefully;
- consult the grading rubric (under the Course Resources) to make sure you have included everything necessary; and
- utilize spelling and grammar check to minimize errors.
Your writing assignment should:
- follow the conventions of Standard English (correct grammar, punctuation, etc.);
- be well ordered, logical, and unified, as well as original and insightful;
- display superior content, organization, style, and mechanics;
- use APA current edition format; and
- be supported with a minimum of 5 scholarly, peer-reviewed sources from the past 5 years, external to those assigned for this unit.
Please see the Writing Center located in the student portal for assistance with writing, APA style, and online communication.
How to Submit:
Submit your assignment to the unit Dropbox before midnight on the last day of the unit.
When you are ready to submit your assignment, select the unit Dropbox, then attach your file. Make sure to save a copy of the assignment you submit.
