assessment of pain; assessment of pain in patients with dementia

Clinical manifestations

• facial expressions, grimmacing, tears, crying
• vocalizations
  • moaning, groaning
  • outbusrts
  • explicit expressions of pain
• noisy breathing
• body language
  • spliting or restricted movement
  • rigid or tense body posture
  • rocking or pacing
  • guarding
• social features
  • social withdrawal
  • lability
  • resistance to interventions
  • aggression, combativeness
  • consolability
• loss of appetite, refusal of food
• change in sleep patterns
• confusion, irritability, delirium
• nausea & constipation from opiate use

* observing behavioral manifestations of pain is the primary mode of pain assessment in patients with dementia

Management

• use a validated pain assessment tool*

* see Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD)

More general terms

• clinical procedure

More specific terms

• Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia Scale (PAINAD)