ASSESSMENT OF PAIN: THOROUGH ASSESSMENT OF THE PAIN
Patients should be asked to describe their pain, in their own words, and in their own way. Considerable information can be gained by observing how they describe their pain, what language they use, what emotions they express and the accompanying body language. The information given will need to be supplemented with specific questions to define all the features of the pain. It is particularly important to know the doses of drugs previously taken, what effect they had, and what side effects there were. Information from family members can be helpful in assessing the severity of pain and its effect on lifestyle.
The site of the responsible lesion can often be deduced using the anatomical correlates described below in the section on neurological examination. Further investigations may be required but should be limited to those which are necessary and likely to have a significant bearing on treatment decisions.
Assess each pain-Most cancer patients have more than one pain and each pain requires assessment.
*14\55\2*