The Problem with Pain
Treatment for pain is one of the primary reasons patients seek medical care (Grossman & Porth, 2014). Moreover, an estimated one quarter of Americans experience chronic pain (Peppin, Cheatle, Kirsh, & McCarberg, 2014). Opioid analgesics are the most effective treatment for moderate to severe acute and chronic pain (Good et al., n.d.). Opioids, however, are used for both medicinal and recreational purposes, which complicates pain treatment. There is an epidemic of prescription and illicit drug use in the United States. The percentage of new people abusing opioids increased by 225% between 1992 and 2000 (Lembke, 2012). In 2012 9.2 percent of Americans over age 12 had used an illicit drug or abused a psychotherapeutic medication (i.e. analgesic, sedative, or stimulant) within the last month (National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA], 2014a). Challenges arise when those seeking pain relief are currently, or have in the past, abused substances. As a result, patients most at risk for inadequate pain treatment are those with current or past substance abuse histories (Evans et al., 2005).
Without safe and effective treatment of pain and adequate provider understanding of the mechanisms underlying pain, millions of patients may suffer from providers’ action or inaction. Ultimately, untreated pain can lead to severe emotional, physical, social, and spiritual stress and may cause individuals to self-medicate with non-prescribed means (i.e. heroin, alcohol) (Prater, Zylstra, & Miller, 2002).
Without safe and effective treatment of pain and adequate provider understanding of the mechanisms underlying pain, millions of patients may suffer from providers’ action or inaction. Ultimately, untreated pain can lead to severe emotional, physical, social, and spiritual stress and may cause individuals to self-medicate with non-prescribed means (i.e. heroin, alcohol) (Prater, Zylstra, & Miller, 2002).
Relevance in Nursing
Registered nurses and advanced practice nurses hold themselves to the ethical standards outlined in the ANA Code of Ethics (ANA, 2015a). The first provision in the Code of Ethics includes statements regarding the nurses’ need to respect all those receiving care in order to promote health and alleviate pain and suffering (ANA, 2015a). Furthemore, the Code of Ethics describes optimal nursing care as that which enables patients to have the highest levels of physical and emotional well-being (ANA, 2015a). To uphold these provisions, nurses must be able to treat pain safely and effectively.