The Challenges of Managing Pain in the Intensive Care Unit

Pain management in the intensive care unit can be challenging. It is important to assess and reassess the patient for pain using the appropriate pain assessment tool for the patient's condition. It is critical to use these tools for compliance to best practice recommendations by The Joint Commission, the Society of Critical Care Management, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. Critical care nurses need to know the types of pain and how everyday nursing care and procedures affect the patient's pain level. This article reviews the types and characteristics of pain, the best practice guidelines, and shares a pathway for the best management of a patient's pain.