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What does a Pain Management Nurse do?

Nat Robinson
Nat Robinson

A pain management nurse provides care to individuals with varying levels of pain. The nurse may be assigned to work with individuals admitted to a hospital, or he or she may provide patient care on an outpatient basis. To become a pain management nurse, the person will need to enroll and graduate from an accredited nursing program. In order to practice nursing, he or she will also need to obtain a nursing license. Different regions have different requirements for acquiring this position.

The tasks of a pain management nurse can be numerous. In a hospital setting, the nurse will generally spend his or her days assessing pain and treating pain in patients. To access pain, the nurse may have a list of standard questions to ask the patient. Many medical facilities use a numbered scale to gauge the level of pain. The nurse may also perform a physical examination to test the sensitivity of the patient.

A pain management nurse may be tasked with explaining the side effects of prescription painkillers to patients.
A pain management nurse may be tasked with explaining the side effects of prescription painkillers to patients.

Nurses will also administer pain medications to treat pain. Although, the doctors generally prescribe the medicines, it is usually the nurse who administers it. As a pain management nurse, he or she will receive advanced training in pharmacology. For this reason, the nurse will be well versed on many types of medications. Most nurses will also be required to be very knowledgeable of the patient's medical records as well. This commonly includes the history of medicines previously taken, those taken currently and allergic reactions caused by any of the above.

A pain management nurse may have a list of standard questions to ask a patient, in order to accurately assess his or her pain level.
A pain management nurse may have a list of standard questions to ask a patient, in order to accurately assess his or her pain level.

Once the medication is administered, a pain management nurse will be responsible for monitoring pain. Usually, the nurse will check in on the patient at different intervals to look for any allergic reaction and to take his or her vital signs to see if the medication has caused a change in the patient's blood pressure, heart rate or oxygen level. The nurse may also continue to question the patient to see if the medicine has helped to relieve the pain. If the pain continues even after being medicated, this type of nurse is trained to provide additional measures to relieve pain. This may include increasing the dosage of medicine or trying an alternative medication, with the doctor's approval.

Pain management immediately after surgery often includes small doses of intravenous analgesics.
Pain management immediately after surgery often includes small doses of intravenous analgesics.

In an outpatient setting, a pain management nurse will provide patient education to instruct the patient on the proper ways to use medications safely at home. Outpatient care by this type of nurse may be provided to patients who have just had surgery or to individuals with chronic ongoing illnesses. In addition to educating the patient on his or her medicine and the proper way to take it, the nurse may also address the effectiveness of the drug. A nurse specializing in pain medication may work in a hospital, nursing home, outpatient clinic or as a self-employed individual.

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    • A pain management nurse may be tasked with explaining the side effects of prescription painkillers to patients.
      By: gwimages
      A pain management nurse may be tasked with explaining the side effects of prescription painkillers to patients.
    • A pain management nurse may have a list of standard questions to ask a patient, in order to accurately assess his or her pain level.
      By: michaeljung
      A pain management nurse may have a list of standard questions to ask a patient, in order to accurately assess his or her pain level.
    • Pain management immediately after surgery often includes small doses of intravenous analgesics.
      By: tawesit
      Pain management immediately after surgery often includes small doses of intravenous analgesics.
    • Many long-term care facilities and home health agencies employ pain management nurses.
      By: Sandor Kacso
      Many long-term care facilities and home health agencies employ pain management nurses.
    • Nurses who specialize in pain management may work with patients at home.
      By: Scott Griessel
      Nurses who specialize in pain management may work with patients at home.
    • A pain management nurse is responsible for monitoring a patient's blood pressure.
      By: Cheyenne
      A pain management nurse is responsible for monitoring a patient's blood pressure.
    • A pain management nurse may perform treatments such as electrical nerve stimulation for those with chronic pain.
      By: praisaeng
      A pain management nurse may perform treatments such as electrical nerve stimulation for those with chronic pain.
    • A pain management nurse helps assess and treat patients' pain.
      By: backgroundstore
      A pain management nurse helps assess and treat patients' pain.