Definition: Unpleasant sensory and emotional experience arising from actual or potential tissue damage or described in terms of such damage (International Association for the Study of Pain); sudden or slow onset of any intensity from mild to severe with an anticipated or predictable end and a duration of less than 6 months
Pain is a highly subjective state in which a variety of unpleasant sensations and a wide range of distressing factors may be experienced by the sufferer. Pain may be a symptom of injury or illness. Pain may also arise from emotional, psychological, cultural, or spiritual distress. Pain can be very difficult to explain, because it is unique to the individual; pain should be accepted as described by the sufferer. Pain assessment can be challenging, especially in elderly patients, where cognitive impairment and sensory-perceptual deficits are more common.
Defining Characteristics
Patient reports pain
Guarding behavior, protecting body part
Self-focused
Narrowed focus (e.g., altered time perception, withdrawal from social or physical contact)
Relief or distraction behavior (e.g., moaning, crying, pacing, seeking out other people or activities, restlessness)
Facial mask of pain
Alteration in muscle tone: listlessness or flaccidness; rigidity or tension
Autonomic responses (e.g., diaphoresis; change in blood pressure [BP], pulse rate; pupillary dilation; change in respiratory rate; pallor; nausea)
Related Factors:
Postoperative pain
Cardiovascular pain
Musculoskeletal pain
Obstetrical pain
Pain resulting from medical problems
Pain resulting from diagnostic procedures or medical treatments
Pain resulting from trauma
Pain resulting from emotional, psychological, spiritual, or cultural distress
NOC Outcomes (Nursing Outcomes Classification)
Suggested NOC Labels
Comfort Level
Medication Response
Pain Control
NIC Interventions (Nursing Interventions Classification)
Suggested NIC Labels
Analgesic Administration
Conscious Sedation
Pain Management
Patient-Controlled Analgesia Assistance
Expected Outcomes
Patient verbalizes adequate relief of pain or ability to cope with incompletely relieved pain.
Source : http://nursing-interventions.com/nanda-acute-pain-nic-noc
