When available, the Online Course format is included with the hard copy, eBook, or audio book formats!
Expiration Date: February 28, 2018
Over the past several decades, significant gains have been made in the field of pain management.
There is a better understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms of acute and chronic (persistent) pain. This understanding has led to both the development of new pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies. There is an increased understanding that pain treatment requires the expertise of an interdisciplinary team. Licensed practical nurses and registered nurses care for patients who experience pain in acute care, long-term care, and community settings. When caring for the person in pain, nurses and other healthcare professionals need to consider how pain affects the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of individuals. An important role of the nurse in providing quality patient care is advocating for effective pain treatment. Because pain is a universal experience, nurses need to be knowledgeable regarding the assessment and treatment of pain across healthcare settings and for diverse populations. In initial educational programs, nurses and other healthcare professionals receive limited education regarding pain and effective pain management. The increase in prescription drug abuse has increased the need for nurses and other healthcare professionals to understand safety and legal requirements for prescribing and administering pain medications. Furthermore, rapidly developing scientific knowledge has made it difficult for healthcare professionals to remain current in pain management.
The purpose of this course is to provide the learner with current knowledge about pain, especially chronic persistent pain, and nursing care for persons experiencing pain. The learner will demonstrate an understanding of the pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatment of chronic pain. With this knowledge, the learner will be able to both educate patients and advocate for effective pain treatment.
Michigan - fulfills pain and pain symptom management requirement.
This course is an extraction of, and should not be taken in conjunction with, Pain Management: Principles and Practice, 2nd Edition (Item #N1457)
- Discuss the impact that patient and professional variables have on pain and its treatment, and the role that federal and state regulations have on the treatment of pain.
- Identify the primary elements of the peripheral and central nervous system related to pain, the primary pain mechanisms, and the difference between nociceptive and neuropathic pain.
- Discuss the pharmacologic options for the management of pain, including nonopioid analgesics and analgesic adjuvant agents and the mechanism of action of opioids and their receptors and the differences between addiction, tolerance, and dependence.
- Discuss the difference between chronic and acute pain and the treatment paradigm and interventions for chronic pain.
Ann Schreier, PhD, RN, is an associate professor at East Carolina University College of Nursing in Greenville, NC. Dr. Schreier received her BSN degree from Boston University, an MSN from the University of California, San Francisco, and her PhD from Stanford University. Dr. Schreier has clinical experience in oncology, and she has worked in hospice. This clinical experience has motivated Dr. Schreier to study and promote pain management. She is a past president of the American Society for Pain Management Nurses. Dr. Schreier is a speaker on the topic of pain management for nurses and is the project coordinator for a webinar educational series for Providers’ Clinical Support System for Opioid Therapies (PCSS-O). This series provides education regarding safe use of opioids for chronic pain and treatment of persons with opioid dependence, and is a collaborative project that includes the American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry, American Dental Association, American Medical Association, American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine, American Psychiatric Association, American Society for Pain Management Nursing, and International Nurses Society on Addictions. Dr. Schreier is active in advocacy for pain management.
- Contact hours will be awarded for up to one (1) year from the date the course is ordered.
- You must score 75% or higher on the final exam and complete the course evaluation to pass this course and receive a certificate of completion.
- Through our review processes, Western Schools ensures that this course content is presented in a balanced, unbiased manner and is free from commercial influence. It is Western Schools’ policy not to accept commercial support.
- All persons involved in the planning and development of this course have disclosed no relevant financial relationships or other conflicts of interest related to the course content.