Painful Stimuli

Specialties Educators

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I am doing some research on the above subject. I am under the impression that this is no longer an acceptible practise.

Does anyone have any information supporting this? I would greatly appreciate any help you can give.

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

Well, in the ER we still use sternal rubs trying to get a response from people. The old take a pinch of skin on the front of the shoulder and twist isn't done anymore. That left a lot of bruises. It is what I was taught in the late 70's to do to determine how under a comatose person was. Always seemed a bit barbaric at the time.

Sternal rubs will sometimes rouse an intoxicated person enough to maintain their own airway, and surely lets you know if they are "faking" trying to get the cops to leave them alone. Easier way to do that is life an arm above the face (sort of across), and drop it. If it mysteriously misses the face, means the person is protecting himself. If it falls directly down, could still be faking if they are really good at this: then might try the sternal rub.

Specializes in Emergency.
Easier way to do that is life an arm above the face (sort of across), and drop it. If it mysteriously misses the face, means the person is protecting himself. If it falls directly down, could still be faking if they are really good at this: then might try the sternal rub.

How do you chart this? Though I've been doing it for years, I only know to chart it as "purposeful avoidance of painful stimuli". Is there a better way?

Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.
How do you chart this? Though I've been doing it for years, I only know to chart it as "purposeful avoidance of painful stimuli". Is there a better way?

I don't know, how about "pt able to control movement of extremities" ? or "purposeful movement of arms noted".

Your phrase covers it pretty well.

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