Drug seeker vrs severe pain

Nurses General Nursing

Published

In the hospital I work if a patient does not recover per the established schedule, or requires more pain meds than usual they are labelled "spleeny" or a drug seeker. So I was wondering what practises, formal or informal other nurses use to determine if someone is "truely" in pain.

For example, if a person is asleep can we assume they are not in pain? What if they appear to be fighting sleep?

Specializes in ER.

I am going to print up these replies and post them at work. You have brought up some good points. Thank you everyone.

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Specializes in ER.

I am going to print up these replies and post them at work. You have brought up some good points. Thank you everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
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