Assessing and Managing Acute Pain: A Call to Action. Issue 3 (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jungquist, Carla R.; Vallerand, April Hazard; Sicoutris, Corinna; Kwon, Kyung N.; Polomano, Rosemary C.
• Is Part Of: American journal of nursing. Volume 117:Issue 3(2017)
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: acute pain -- chronic pain -- pain guidelines -- persistent acute pain; Nursing -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1097/01.NAJ.0000513526.33816.0e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-936X

Abstract

Abstract : N/A: Acute pain, which is usually sudden in onset and time limited, serves a biological protective function, warning the body of impending danger. However, while acute pain often resolves over time with normal healing, unrelieved acute pain can disrupt activities of daily living and transition to chronic pain. This article describes the effects of unrelieved acute pain on patients and clinical outcomes. The authors call on nurses to assess and manage acute pain in accordance with evidence-based guidelines, expert consensus reports, and position statements from professional nursing organizations in order to minimize the likelihood of its becoming chronic.