Additional Disciplines
There are varieties of disciplines that use the concept of pain. Understanding the concept of pain provides other disciplines, such as nursing, dietitians, physical therapists, massage therapists, pharmacists, mental healthcare workers, and pastoral care staff to deliver the proper management and treatment of pain. In addition, various disciplines, such as a dental surgeon, also use the concept of pain to gauge the threshold of stimuli.
Dietitians
One discipline other than nursing that understands the concept of pain is a dietitian. Many illnesses cause pain and therefore prevent proper nutrition in the diet of a patient. In turn, there are also foods that can cause pain in those that suffer from certain illnesses.
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(p. 1795)
Theoretical and Operational Definition of Pain
There are many terms that people use for the word pain. Some of them include ache, hurt, discomfort, soreness, tenderness, irritation, agony, torment, malaise, affliction, and misery. To have a better understanding of the concept of pain, this paper will explain the theoretical definition of the concept for pain from the gate control theory. Warren (2010) easily explains that the perception of pain is like a wire transmitting electricity. According to Warren (2010), the gate control theory explains that large and small nerve fibers are responsible for the transmission and perception of pain.
The theoretical definition of pain for this paper is an unpleasant sensory due to nerve stimulation carrying pain impulses to the brain and causing physical and/or emotional distress. The operational definition of pain for this paper is the degree of pain measured by the patient on a verbal pain scale of 1-10 or a nursing assessment of non-verbal pain from facial images on a 1-5 pain scale
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Nurses in long-term care also understand many individuals do not have the ability to verbalize pain. In this case, it is essential to have multiple ways to assess pain. For example, long-term care organizations utilize facial pain scales for those that cannot verbally express their pain.
Future Work Experience This writer will continue to use the concept of pain in the adult and geriatric population. In the readings of Alligood (2014), the Peaceful-End-of-Life Theory defines pain as “an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage” (p. 703). With a strong understanding of the concept of pain, this writer will apply this concept and the Peaceful-End-of-Life Theory into palliative practice. Nursing Knowledge
This writer understands the value of the concept of pain as it is a tool to improve the quality of life. The nurse can manage pain and treat the patient holistically by understanding the concept of pain. This student will continue to provide pain relief by assessing and using nursing knowledge from evidenced based practices in managing