Pain is often poorly assessed and managed by health professionals for numerous reasons. These reasons can include but are not limited to the following:

1. Our own subjective opinions regarding pain and how we perceive pain should be experienced by patients

2. Our lack of understanding of cultural views of pain

3. Language barriers between the health professional and the patient

4. A patient’s cognitive ability to express their pain to us on a verbal and physical level

5. A lack of recognition of the physiological signs of pain.

After completing this learning activity you will be able to effectively take all of the above into consideration in order to effectively conduct an assessment of pain.

Duration: 1 hour

CEU/CNE points: 1

Author: Lucus Lloyd

This activity has been endorsed by APEC number 50422108 as authorised by Royal College of Nursing, Australia according to approved criteria. Participation in this activity earns you 1 Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) point as part of the Royal College of Nursing, Australia Life Long Learning Program (3LP).