Pain is a subjective and unique experience that varies from person to person. It also varies according to cause and circumstance. Pain can stem from damage to skin, muscles, organs and bones; it can have emotional and psychological triggers. It is reasonable to anticipate that because pain can have a wide array of origins and interpretations, the treatment of pain needs to be as distinct as the experience of the patient. This is especially significant during end of life care. Providing palliative care, “care designed to give the patient as pain-free a condition as possible, from textbook” has innumerable benefits for the dying patient and their loved ones. It is important to acknowledge the benefits of pain management during palliative care, as well as the potential barriers to providing sufficient pain relief, in order for healthcare providers to provide the best and most personalized care for their patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies the following as a few of the aspects of palliative care: it supports dying as a normal process, provides patients a way to …show more content…
The majority of patients receiving palliative care have some level of moderate to severe pain that needs to be addressed in order for comfort to be achieved. Pain causes distress and anxiety for patients, family members and other caregivers, making it a vital aspect of care. In order for health care professionals to offer comprehensive pain relief, they must accurately assess a patient’s pain, provide pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic measures to combat pain, educate patients on any medication concerns, and perform a self-assessment regarding their own pain-related beliefs. It is through these actions that nurses will bring their patients reprieve from immense discomfort and pain, help to ease anxiety and fear, help to bring about acceptance of the disease process, and promote the ideal nurse patient