Lesson 1Validated self-report tools: Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Verbal Descriptor Scale (VDS) an when to use eachCovers major adult self-report scales, including NRS, VAS, an VDS, wid guidance on indications, limitations, cultural an literacy considerations, an how to interpret scores in context of function, goals, an treatment response.
Numeric Rating Scale: use an limitationsVisual Analogue Scale: technique an pitfallsVerbal Descriptor Scale an patient selectionChoosing de right scale fi each patientInterpreting scores wid functional outcomesLesson 2Tools fi chronic pain assessment: PainDETECT, DN4, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) an functional impact measurementReviews key tools fi chronic pain assessment, including PainDETECT, DN4, an de Brief Pain Inventory, wid emphasis on functional impact, activity limitations, an integrating scores into longitudinal care an treatment planning.
Using PainDETECT fi neuropathic pain screeningApplying DN4 in clinical neuropathic assessmentBrief Pain Inventory scoring an interpretationMeasuring function, disability, an participationTracking chronic pain outcomes over timeLesson 3Behavioral an observational tools fi adults: PAINAD, CPOT, an assessing nonverbal cues in postoperative an anxious patientsCovers use of PAINAD, CPOT, an structured observation to assess pain in adults who are sedated, intubated, cognitively impaired, anxious, or immediately postoperative, emphasizing reliability, bias reduction, an team communication.
PAINAD scoring an interpretation in adult patientsUsing CPOT in ventilated an sedated ICU patientsRecognizing nonverbal pain cues an pain behaviorsDifferentiating pain from anxiety or delirium signsMinimizing observer bias an improving interrater reliabilityLesson 4Principles of pain physiology an types of pain (nociceptive, neuropathic, inflammatory, nociplastic)Explores nociceptive, neuropathic, inflammatory, an nociplastic pain, linking receptor an pathway physiology to clinical patterns, exam findings, an treatment choices, to improve mechanism-based assessment an targeted therapy selection.
Peripheral nociceptor activation an sensitizationSpinal cord transmission an modulation of painNeuropathic pain mechanisms an clinical featuresInflammatory mediators an peripheral sensitizationCentral sensitization an nociplastic pain featuresLinking pain mechanism to treatment selectionLesson 5Assessing pain history an biopsychosocial factors: sleep, mood, catastrophizing, substance use, an social contextExamines how sleep, mood, trauma history, catastrophizing, substance use, an social context shape pain experience an reporting, an how to integrate biopsychosocial data into assessment, risk stratification, an care planning.
Structuring a comprehensive pain historyAssessing sleep disturbance an fatigueScreening fi depression, anxiety, an PTSDIdentifying pain catastrophizing an fear avoidanceEvaluating substance use an coping behaviorsExploring family, work, an cultural contextLesson 6Frequency an timing of assessment: perioperative, post-analgesia reassessment, flare monitoring an documentation standardsDetails how often an when to assess pain in perioperative, inpatient, an outpatient settings, including post-analgesia reassessment, flare tracking, an documentation standards dat support safety, quality metrics, an regulatory compliance.
Perioperative pain assessment time pointsPost-analgesia reassessment an response trackingMonitoring pain flares an breakthrough episodesDocumenting pain scores an functional outcomesMeeting institutional an regulatory requirementsLesson 7Assessing risk an safety: opioid risk tools (ORT), screening fi substance use disorder, an assessing fall an bleeding riskFocuses on structured risk assessment before an during opioid therapy, including ORT use, substance use disorder screening, an evaluation of fall, sedation, an bleeding risk to guide monitoring, documentation, an shared decisions.
Using ORT an similar opioid risk toolsScreening fi substance use an misuse patternsAssessing fall, sedation, an respiratory riskEvaluating bleeding risk wid analgesic choicesMonitoring plans fi high-risk pain patientsLesson 8Communication techniques fi pain assessment: empathetic questioning, shared decision prompts, an handling denial or minimization of painDevelops communication skills fi accurate pain assessment, including empathetic questioning, validating experiences, shared decision prompts, an strategies fi addressing denial, minimization, or exaggeration while maintaining therapeutic alliance.
Building rapport an psychological safetyOpen-ended an focused pain questionsValidating pain while setting realistic goalsShared decision prompts in pain discussionsAddressing denial or minimization of painManaging perceived exaggeration without stigma
