The Problem of Acute Pain In The Elderly
Examples: Research Bite #1 Research Bite #2 Research Bite #3 Research Bite #4	Acute pain in the elderly is most likely to occur as a symptom of disease or injury (e.g., fracture from a fall). Medical and surgical treatments also contribute to pain in the elderly. Older adults do not receive adequate pain management during hospitalization and commonly are given significantly less postoperative opioids than younger patients with the same diagnosis. This practice is particularly troublesome in light of research that demonstrates better patient outcomes, reduced length of stay, and reduced resource use as a result of aggressive pain control and improved mobility. Fractured hips account for more than 225,000 acute care admissions annually for Medicare recipients greater than 65 years of age. These figures are projected to double by the year 2040. Management of acute pain in the elderly, hip fracture population contributes to earlier ambulation and less adverse outcomes. A guideline for management of acute pain in the elderly is anticipated to make a critical contribution to desired outcomes for this vulnerable population.
Web-Based Instruction Program

Course Description

This web-based intstruction program is designed to provide nurses and physicians with current, research-based information on acute pain management for older adults. Key areas of focus include assessment of pain in older adults, pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to managinnig pain in older adults, and approaches to teaching older patients and their families about management of acute pain.

Objectives

Upon completing this web-based instruction program, participants will be able to:

1. List four myths and corresponding truths regarding pain management in the elderly.
2. Describe special considerations that are needed when assessing acute pain in the elderly.
3. Describe three tools that can be used to assess acute pain in the elderly.
4. Describe five age-related changes that can affect analgesic choice in the elderly.
5. List the best choices for routes when administering analgesics to the elderly.
6. Explain how nonopioids can be used appropriately to manage acute pain in the elderly.
7. List three potential side effects of nonopioids in the elderly.
8. Explain how opioids can be used appropriately to manage acute pain in the elderly.
9. List three potential side effects of opioids in the elderly.
10. List three drugs that generally should not be used to manage acute pain in the elderly.
11. List four non-pharmacological approaches to managing acute pain and describe ways in which each can be used appropriately with the elderly.
12. List four ways in which patient education needs to be specially tailored for the elderly.
13. State five key pieces of information about pain management that need to be taught to patients and families.

Continuing Education

Nursing continuing education credit(1.0 CEU's) and physician continuing medical education credit (AMA category 1) are available upon completion of Acute Pain Management in the Elderly course.

Cost

$39.00