PAIN SCALE ASSESSMENT / MEDICATION ERRORS IN THE CLINICAL SETTING

 

The Numerical Pain Scale is a useful tool when
assessing pain. It is based on a scale of 0-10.
A ladder starts from the ground and escalates to|
the highest point, so does pain start from 0-10.

It is important to do a pain assessment after pain
medication has been given. See image for more
information.


Scenario: In the above image, a patient was brought into the 
 Emergency room with complaints of chest pain and a drop in 
 blood pressure. The doctor ordered Morphine for the pain and 
  Dopamine for the hypotension. Both medications were given
     as ordered. The nurse in the green top (left) gave the Morphine
and started the Dopamine infusion.

Next : What went wrong? The nurse forgot to put a label on the
 IV bag and did not document what time both medications were 
 given. It is very important for the nurse to pay close attention to
the time that medications are given. 

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