Three-year-old C.E. is admitted to the Emergency Department (ED) fast track clinic. Her mother tells    the nurse that C.E. has had a low-grade fever for 2 days and is complaining of ear pain and a sore     throat. Mrs. E. states that C.E.’s appetite has been “off,” but she has been drinking and using the bath- room as usual. 10.         How would the nurse monitor C.E. for pain? Explain your answer.

Introduction:

In the emergency department (ED) fast track clinic, it is essential for nurses to effectively monitor patients for pain, including young children like C.E. Pain assessment is a critical aspect of nursing care, as it ensures appropriate pain management interventions are implemented. This paper will discuss how a nurse would monitor C.E., a three-year-old patient complaining of ear pain and a sore throat, for pain. The focus will be on both subjective and objective pain assessment methods that can be utilized in a pediatric setting.

Subjective Pain Assessment:

Subjective pain assessment involves gathering information from the patient or caregiver about their pain experience. In the case of C.E., her mother would be the primary source of information. The nurse should conduct a comprehensive pain assessment interview with C.E.’s mother, obtaining a detailed description of the pain. This would include questions about the onset, duration, location, intensity, and character of the pain. The nurse should also inquire about any factors that aggravate or relieve the pain, as well as any associated symptoms. By collecting this information, the nurse can gain valuable insights into the nature and severity of C.E.’s pain.

Since C.E. is a young child, her ability to communicate her pain experience verbally may be limited. In such cases, the nurse should utilize age-appropriate pain assessment tools. For example, the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale can be used for children aged two months to seven years. This observational tool assesses five categories of pain behaviors: facial expression, leg movement, activity level, cry, and consolability. By observing C.E.’s behaviors and assigning a score to each category, the nurse can obtain an objective measure of her pain intensity.

Objective Pain Assessment:

In addition to subjective assessments, the nurse should also employ objective pain assessment methods to monitor C.E. for pain. Objective assessments involve measuring physiological or behavioral indicators of pain. In C.E.’s case, the nurse could monitor her vital signs, such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Pain can often result in physiological changes, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. By comparing C.E.’s vital signs to baseline measurements, the nurse can assess the presence and intensity of pain.

Furthermore, the nurse should closely observe C.E.’s behavior for signs of discomfort or distress. This includes monitoring her facial expressions, body language, and levels of agitation. Children in pain may exhibit behaviors such as crying, grimacing, guarding the affected area, or showing reluctance to move. These behaviors can provide valuable information about C.E.’s pain experience and help guide pain management decisions.

Conclusion:

In the case of C.E., a three-year-old presenting with ear pain and a sore throat, pain monitoring is crucial in the ED fast track clinic. The nurse should employ both subjective and objective pain assessment methods to evaluate C.E.’s pain experience. Subjective assessments involve obtaining detailed information from C.E.’s mother about the pain, while age-appropriate pain assessment tools can be used to gauge C.E.’s pain intensity. Objective assessments involve monitoring vital signs and observing behavioral indicators of pain. By utilizing these assessment techniques, the nurse can accurately monitor C.E.’s pain and implement appropriate pain management interventions. This ensures that C.E. receives the necessary care to alleviate her pain and discomfort.