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PAIN ASSESSMENT MARKING CRITERIA
6 MINUTES

1. Introduces self and explains the assessment to be carried out and the rationale and importance of this.
2. Gains consent from the patient. Identifies the patient by checking name/date of birth or ID.
3. Considers the following aspects of pain:
a. P = provokes
Where is the pain? (point to area) What causes the pain? What makes it better? What makes it worse?
b. Q = quality
What does the pain feel like? Is it dull, sharp, stabbing, burning, crushing, shooting, and throbbing? Is the pain intense?
c. R = radiating
Where is it? Is it in one place? Does it move around? Did it start somewhere else?
d. S = severity
How bad is it? Uses the universal pain scale to ascertain severity.
e. T = time
When did the pain start? How long has it lasted? Is it constant? Does it come and go? Is it sudden or gradual?
4. Acknowledges that the patient is in discomfort, and offers to make them more comfortable by repositioning.
5. Asks patient whether they have had any analgesia, and states will arrange for suitable analgesia.
6. Identifies the need to communicate with a multidisciplinary team/doctor.
7. Identifies the need for regular reassessment.
8. Indicates the need to document findings accurately and clearly in the patient notes/charts.
9. Reassures the patient.
10. Acts professionally throughout the procedure in accordance with NMC (2018) ‘The Code: Professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives, and nursing associates’.


Red Flag:
Any Red Flag issue (leading DIRECTLY to patient harm) identified by the assessor.