lena130

Wow!! I came here hoping that I would get a good insight (I did by the way) about a concern I had. I did not expect to be stoned to death and have others get caught in the crossfire. I think some of you nurses are getting a little too personally. Who am I to judge a patient and who are you to judge other nurses? To those who gave me good, professional advices on how to differently view pain management, THANK YOU. And to those who crucified me for asking an honest comment, THANK YOU ANYWAY. You guys confirmed one of my theories about nursing. There are nurses who are happy and willing to teach and there are nurses that are, well, like some of you guys. I am kind of disappointed and flabbergasted at the same time.

"Don't get me wrong. I treat a persons pain because pain is what the patient says it is. I am sure they are in pain. I just feel strongly about meds being over prescribed but that's another story. :)" I agree with you 100%. That is the reason why I started this thread to begin with. Like I said before, I am a new nurse with a year experience and I kinda had different expectations. I am learning and and I am open to be taught. Maybe it is the over prescriptions that bothers me. I am just afraid of a patient overdosing.

Thank you so much for that article. That actually helps. I am going to bring a copy to work and have others read it. Thanks again.

I truly understand what everyone is saying and thank you so much for your honest replies. But, there is currently a patient that is driving everyone crazy including the the MDs and the ARNP. He was transferred to a med-surg floor last month due to complications and apparently, he had a very hard time there because he was not receiving his PRN as often as he was getting it from us. As soon as he returned back to our ward, the MD increased his PRN hoping that it will better control his pain. It worked at first, but (a week and a half later) I guess his body developed tolerance. He was offered a PCA but he refused and whenever he gets his PRN "10-15 minutes late" he refuses to take it and prefer to yell and curse at whoever happens to be his medication nurse. I do believe pain is subjective because there is no way I can know/assume how you feel. But I do believe that if you are in sooooo much pain (acute or chronic) and the MD offered you a more "efficient" method, at least try it or think about trying it. Why would you prefer to wallow in pain?

I have been a nurse for only one year and I am already questioning the idea/assumption that pain is subjective. I work in the LTC ward where we have subacute patients (including acute rehab and extended care) and hospice patients. I administer vicodin, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol, tylenol #3, etc. at least 8-10 per shift and I work an 8-hour shift. I do have patients that I know without a doubt are really in pain, but 75% of my patients ask for PRN pain medication right on the hour everytime it is due not knowing that I am outside their door and I can hear them laughing and/or carry on an entertaining conversation with another person. Yes, I do believe that pain can be subjective but how am I suppose to assess pain for my drug-seeking/addicted patients? I find it hard to believe that they are telling me that their pain level is 8/10 every single time. Lately, I have been feeling less like a nurse and more like a street drug pusher in a hospital setting. Can anyone relate to what I am saying? Do anybody have any article that suggests I can objectively assess pain?