Caring for Someone in Pain
I cared for a close family member who suffered a cut at the lower right leg. Initially, blood was oozing out from the wound, and the patient was experiencing immense pain. I managed to bandage the wound and administered Cannabidiol, a pain-relieving medication. I felt frustrated and sad watching the close family member suffer from uncontrollable pain. The most daunting challenge I confronted was the desire to fix the pain. The frustrations resulted from my inability to fix the pain immediately. I equally felt sad watching a close family member suffer from so much pain. Nevertheless, it is a normal reaction for caregivers to feel sad after watching a patient suffer.
What Have You Found That Helps?
I have established that being patient and supportive during pain management helps the victim to heal faster. I believe caregivers should encourage their patients to be self-advocates in managing their pain. If the patients are actively involved in their care, they can easily be distracted from the pain experience to concentrate on pain management interventions. It is equally significant to demonstrate empathy and stay calm. If the reaction is negative, the pain experienced may be chaotic and thus affect other family members.
What Is Your Personal Philosophy on Dealing with Patients in Pain?
As a caregiver, my philosophy is to enhance communication when caring for a patient experiencing pain. As such, talking, observing, and listening are three crucial tenets of communication skills that caregivers should utilize when caring for patients. The direct communication between a patient and a caregiver contributes immensely towards conducting accurate assessment and guarantees better pain management. Per Gjesdal, Kine, Dysvik, and Furnes, patients may be reluctant to talk about their pain (519). When this happens, a caregiver needs to monitor the patient’s non-verbal behaviors to establish the consequences of the pain experience, such as mood swings or loss of appetite.
Work Cited
Gjesdal, Kine, Elin, Dysvik, and Bodil, Furnes. “Living with Chronic Pain: Patients’ Experiences with Healthcare Services in Norway.” Nursing Open, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 517-526.