Understanding Pain in Alzheimer's Disease in Anesthesia

The primary risk factor for developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is increasing age, meaning that certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) will most likely encounter patients with AD with increasing frequency. Patients with AD are a challenge for CRNAs to quickly create a comprehensive anesthetic because of the difficulty with self-reporting and understanding how the brain responds to pain in AD. New research about how the brain processes pain in patients with AD is available, which could prove helpful. Published reports that outline a specific anesthetic plan are scarce, particularly considering each patient's own set of circumstances and where they are in the disease process. This article highlights helpful suggestions and considerations for CRNAs when assessing pain, understanding individual responses to pain, and developing a plan to help control pain when caring for patients with AD.