Patient present to the clinic complaining of lower back pain after moving some heavy table. Explain why it is important that the nurse practitioner DO NOT missed to ask the patient these two questions. 1- Is the pain affecting your daily living activities? 2- Are you currently taking any medication to control de pain? Provide references.
Introduction:
Lower back pain is a common reason for individuals to seek medical attention, especially after engaging in activities that involve heavy lifting or strenuous movements. As a nurse practitioner, it is crucial to thoroughly assess and evaluate patients presenting with lower back pain in order to provide appropriate care and treatment. By asking patients two key questions, namely, “Is the pain affecting your daily living activities?” and “Are you currently taking any medication to control the pain?”, the nurse practitioner can gather essential information that will facilitate accurate diagnosis and management of the patient’s condition. This paper will discuss the importance of asking these questions and provide references to support the argument.
Importance of Question 1: Is the pain affecting your daily living activities?
When a patient reports lower back pain, it is crucial to determine the impact of the pain on their daily living activities. By asking this question, the nurse practitioner aims to assess the functional limitations imposed by the pain. Understanding the effect of lower back pain on the patient’s activities of daily living (ADLs) allows the healthcare provider to gain insight into the severity and functional impact of the condition.
The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), provides a comprehensive framework for understanding disability and functional limitations. The ICF recognizes that the consequences of health conditions extend beyond the biomedical aspects and encompass the individual’s functional abilities and participation in daily life. In the context of lower back pain, determining the interference of the pain with ADLs aligns with the ICF’s perspective on assessing the impact of health conditions on individuals’ functional abilities.
A study by Suri et al. (2012) emphasized the importance of evaluating functional limitations in patients with lower back pain. The authors found that patients with more limitations in ADLs had significantly higher levels of pain-related disability and lower quality of life. Moreover, understanding the impact of lower back pain on daily activities helps in determining appropriate treatment strategies, such as recommending modifications to the patient’s routine activities, providing assistive devices, or referring the patient to physical therapy or occupational therapy for rehabilitation interventions.
Importance of Question 2: Are you currently taking any medication to control the pain?
Inquiring about the patient’s current medication use to control pain is instrumental in assessing the patient’s pain management regimen and potential risks associated with medication use. This question helps the nurse practitioner gather information about the patient’s previous attempts to alleviate pain through self-treatment and determine the effectiveness and safety of current pain management strategies.
Several classes of medications are commonly used for managing lower back pain, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, opioids, and adjuvant analgesics. Each medication class carries its own benefits and risks, and it is crucial for the nurse practitioner to have a comprehensive understanding of the patient’s medication regimen. Furthermore, ascertaining the patient’s medication use allows for appropriate documentation and can help prevent potential drug interactions and complications during further management.
The American Pain Society (APS) and the American College of Physicians (ACP) issued guidelines for the treatment of acute and chronic lower back pain. These guidelines emphasize the importance of evaluating the patient’s response to previous pain management interventions, including pharmacological treatments. The guidelines highlight the need for a multimodal approach to pain management, considering both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Therefore, by knowing the patient’s current medication use, the nurse practitioner can make informed decisions regarding medication adjustments, changes, or cessation, while considering non-pharmacological approaches as well.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, asking patients two key questions when they present with lower back pain, namely, “Is the pain affecting your daily living activities?” and “Are you currently taking any medication to control the pain?” is crucial for accurate assessment and management. Evaluating the impact of pain on daily living activities provides valuable information about the functional limitations experienced by the patient, which informs treatment decisions and interventions. Inquiring about current medication use allows the nurse practitioner to assess the patient’s pain management strategies, ensure safety and appropriateness of medication use, and guide further management. By asking these essential questions, nurse practitioners can provide comprehensive and patient-centered care for individuals suffering from lower back pain.