Pain Assessment in the Cognitively Impaired

Keela A. Herr, PhD, RN

Professor and Chair
The Adult and Gerontology Area of Study
Research Director
John A. Hartford Center for Geriatric Nursing Excellence
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa
Cognitively impaired patients present formidable challenges to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment, requiring novel approaches to identify pain generators, the characteristics of the pain experience, and treatment responses. Thorough assessment, including observations of behaviors and discussions with family and friends, lays the groundwork for improving the care of this underserved patient population.

References

Bjoro K, Herr K. Assessment of pain in the nonverbal or cognitively impaired older adult. Clin Geriatr Med. 2008;24(2):237-62.
Reynolds KS, Hanson LC, DeVellis RF, Henderson M, Steinhauser KE. Disparities in pain management between cognitively intact and cognitively impaired nursing home residents. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2008 Apr;35(4):388-96. Epub 2008 Feb 15.

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