ASPMN 2024 Position Statement: Pain Assessment in the Patient Unable to Self-Report

Abstract

Recognizing and managing pain is especially challenging for vulnerable populations who cannot communicate their discomfort. Because there is no valid and reliable objective measure of pain, the American Society for Pain Management Nursing advocates for comprehensive assessment practices articulated in a Hierarchy of Pain Assessment. These practices require gathering relevant information to infer the presence of pain and evaluate a patient's response to treatment. Nurses and other healthcare providers must be advocates for those who cannot communicate their pain experience.