Along with moment to moment suffering pain has other serious consequences affecting the prognosis. Pain can affect activity, sleep and appetite. It can bring about depression, anxiety, and hostility that may erode the patient's willingness to continue with the treatment plan. The pain management regimen should provide pain relief, yet allow the patient to function optimally. Decisions regarding initial or ongoing pain management options are based on the patient's report of pain.
Interventions are appropriate to the cause of the patient's pain, if known.
The pain management regimen should use the simplest dosing schedule and be easy to administer. Medications are given for breakthrough pain. Side effects of analgesics are anticipated and vigorously treated. The patient and caregiver are thoroughly instructed in the pain management regimen and are given a written copy of the plan, including management of side effects and when to contact the nurse or the physician. The patient's pain is reassessed frequently to determine the need for changes in the pain management regimen.