HOW DOES THE NURSE KNOW WHEN THE PATIENT ON A VENTILATOR IS IN PAIN?

What are the special  considerations given to a patient on a ventilator?
When a patient has been placed on ventilator support, it is not possible to communicate with speech. Some patients who are awake and alert may be able to point at a pain scale chart. If this is not possible, pay attention to signs such as: heart rate, blood pressure, respirations, and agitation.

How does the nurse know when the patient on a ventilator is in pain?
The patient on a mechanical ventilator is unable to speak because there is an endotracheal tube in the airway. Signs of pain may manifest by: agitation, pressure alarms on the ventilator going off, rapid heart rate and more.

How is pain assessed?
Pain is assessed by using a scale of 1-10, ten being the worst. Common scale ratings are as follows:
  • 0: No pain
  • 1-3: Mild pain
  • 4-6: Moderate pain
  • 7-10: Severe pain
You should always follow your institution's policy regarding pain scales.

Learn more-----
For more information on this topic, enjoy watching:
/www.youtube.com/user/dearnurses/videos

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