Pain Competency Self-Assessment Discussion Paper
Name:
Competency outcome 1: The student appropriately performs and documents pain screenings, assessments, and reassessments.
Competency outcome 2: The student teaches the patient and family about pain control.
Competency outcome 3: The student collaborates with the patient, the family, and the healthcare team to develop a pain management plan and define pain relief goals.
Competencies 1–3 Competent Y or N
Asks all patients, in initial Assessment and routinely as part of a health assessment, about the presence of pain
If pain is present, assesses critical characteristics, including location, quality, intensity, temporal characteristics, alleviating and aggravating factors, impact of pain, past interventions, and responses
Utilizes simple and reliable pain intensity scales appropriate to age and cognitive status
Teaches patients how and when to report pain, including side effects or adverse effects of pain treatment, roles in helping to manage pain, realistic pain relief goals, and how to utilize pain interventions
Discusses realistic goals with patients
Communicates and collaborates appropriately with physician, team members, unit pain resource nurse, inpatient pain consult services, acute pain service, anesthesiology, and others
Competency outcome 4: The student safely and effectively administers a pain treatment plan (including pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions).
Competency 4 Competent Y or N
Administers prescribed analgesics as appropriate (combinations of analgesics, scheduled versus prn, and titration to meet individual needs)
Assesses patients’ responses to interventions and documents reassessments within the time frame indicated by the unit’s pain procedures
Proactively manages side effects of opioid analgesics
Utilizes a variety of nonpharmacologic strategies to promote pain relief, including distraction, relaxation, imagery, massage, heat, cold, and positioning
Competency outcome 5: The student accurately programs and utilizes a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump.
Competency 5 Competent Y or N
Demonstrates setup and use of designated IV pump
Follows policy and procedure when caring for patients with IV PCA, including appropriate documentation on pain infusion flow sheet
Defines and recognizes opioid-induced respiratory depression and implements appropriate interventions
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As a healthcare professional, it is important to have a thorough understanding and ability to perform pain assessments and management for patients. Based on the competency outcomes provided, I would assess my own abilities as follows:
Competency outcome 1: I would rate myself as competent in this area as I am familiar with performing pain screenings, assessments, and reassessments and can accurately document the results.
Competency outcome 2: I would rate myself as competent in this area as well, as I am able to effectively teach patients and their families about pain control methods and strategies.
Competency outcome 3: I would also rate myself as competent in this area as I am able to collaborate with patients, families, and healthcare team members to develop a pain management plan that is tailored to the patient’s specific needs and goals.
Competency outcome 4: I would rate myself as competent in this area as well, as I am able to safely and effectively administer a variety of pain treatment methods, including both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions, and document patients’ responses to interventions.
Competency outcome 5: I would rate myself as competent in this area as well, as I am able to accurately program and use a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump, follow proper protocols and procedures, and recognize and respond to opioid-induced respiratory depression.
I believe I possess a good understanding and ability to perform pain assessments and management for patients, and I will continue to strive to improve my skills in this important area of healthcare.
