Are PAIN AND DISCOMFORT THE SAME?

[nette1022]

Are pain and discomfort the same? I am interested to see wht you guys think, I can't find any real definition for discomfort as it pertains to nursing. I know pain is what our sensory neurons tell out brain. Whats the difference? Or is there a difference?

[Cobweb]

Pain and discomfort are not always meaningful words, in the nursing sense. You need to get pretty specific in order to treat your patient properly, if it is possible. (Sometimes your CNA will come and say, "Ms. Smith seems uncomfortable," but since Ms. Smith is non-verbal, you have to take your best guess.) I had a patient who had a mass in his abdomen that depressed his respiratory status, and it made him extremely uncomfortable, but it didn't cause any pain.

[mluvsgnc]

They are both subjective terms that can have social, cultural and personal meanings, and like other posters have said, it takes diligent assessment and observation skills to determine how *it* needs to be treated.

[Whispera, MSN, RN]

I think that pain is a type of discomfort.

[iluvgusgus]

I would take "discomfort" as seriously as pain, for example one symptom of pancreatitis is discomfort when lying down. I have had pancreatitis twice, and it is uncomfortable to lie down, it is hard to breathe, you become anxious, it is not "painful" but it is a symptom of a serious condition. So when you assess for pain, I would ask are you having any pain or discomfort right now? because they may not be having pain but they may be uncomfortable-maybe the sheets are crinkled under them, maybe they are hot, etc.

[mind_body_soul RN]

I agree with prior posters that pain is a type of discomfort. Other discomforts could include: nausea, muscle cramps, labor, itching, a full bladder, constipation, hunger, thirst, akathisia, SOB, being too cold or hot, etc. etc.