Chronic pain refers to pain that is continuous and in most cases last for more than six months (Allegri, 2011). This kind of pain can persist even after the condition that caused the pain has healed. On the other hand, acute pain refers to pain that is mild and may last for a short period of time (Allegri, 2011). This type of pain might be severe and may be experience for weeks or few months which does not exceed six months. The pain is sharp and disappears when the underlying cause goes away.
An extensive pain assessment is required in acute pain. The examination includes location of the pain, quality, the intensity of the pain, and alleviating factors. In addition, it includes timing, aggravating factors, duration, and relief. In acute pain assessment tests include blood tests, imaging tests, dye injection exams and electromyography (Mehta, et.al, 2013). On the other hand, assessing chronic pain revolves around three main issues which are: extent of physical impairment, magnitude of the disease and patient’s conduct in relation to the illness or injury. Tests conducted in assessment of chronic pain include laboratory tests to examine blood or fluids such as the one from the spinal cord. Imaging tests, musculoskeletal examinations and electro-diagnostic tests are also conducted in chronic pain assessment (Mehta, 2013).
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In a previous assessment of a patient in pain, one of the things done well was the medical examination. However, I realized that I needed to improve on collecting information from patient history and interviewing. The patient was experiencing back pain for the past four days and was unable to carry out her daily activities especially the ones involving bending and had not taken any kind of medication to relieve the pain. Painkillers such as ibuprofen or naproxen sodium would have helped in relieving the acute pain.
Reference
Allegri, M. (2011). Acute and chronic pain where we are and where we have to go; proceedings of 4th Study in Multidisciplinary Pain Research (SIMPAR) Meeting, November 11 - 12, 2011, Pavia, Italy . Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Mehta, P., Zaleski, K., & Peeters-Asdourian, C. (2013). Acute and Chronic Pain. Oxford Medicine Online . doi:10.1093/med/9780199733859.003.0008
