PostOperative Pain Management By: Lauren Hinojosa, HST Independent Study Mentorship- 2nd semester, Spring 2019, Mrs. Click
Disclaimer Some of my information is taken from outside sources.
Mentor
My mentor is Rachel Beaman, BSN, RN.
She is a med-surg nurse at the UTMB League City Campus.
Mentorship Site
My mentorship site is the UTMB League City Campus Hospital, Medsurg unit.
The campus is continuously expanding, it now has an M.D. Anderson outpatient center.
There are 20 med-surg patient rooms.
There are 10 operating rooms.
HST Independent Study Mentorship
Independent Study Mentorship is a collegiate level course in which students are responsible for creating their own professional level research project to explore the field of work they are most interested in.
Why I Chose Postoperative Pain Management
I chose the topic of postoperative pain management because it is something that affects every patient. My mentor sees patients with little to no pain as well as patients whose pain is constant and severe.
Key Point #1: Factors contributing to pain
Pain can vary depending on how invasive a surgery is
Post-op pain can turn into chronic pain if not properly cared for
Key Point #2: Mobility
Physical therapy can help alleviate soreness
Walking around after surgery is encouraged
Key Point #3: Pain Medication During Recovery
Pros and cons of intravenous vs. oral intake
Opioids vs. non opioids
Key Point #4: Diet
Regular diet
Low fat/sodium diet
Clear liquids
Low residue/low fiber
Key Point #5: Prevention of Aggravating Factors
Patient should be comfortable in bed (some beds are specialized for specific types of patients)
You may have to assist them when standing, walking, or even sitting up
Research Topics
Research Topic #1: How does mobility affect post-operative pain?
How does physical therapy provide pain relief?
Research Topic #2: Which types of medication are the most effective pain relievers?
Are there benefits to either intravenous or oral medications?
What if a patient is allergic to a medication?
Research Topic #3: How do pre-existing conditions or complications increase pain and affect your treatment plan?
How do pre-existing conditions affect diet and types of pain relievers the patient can take?
How Does Mobility Affect Post-Operative Pain?
In what ways does physical therapy provide pain relief?
What if a patient is unable to move a limb?
Which Types of Pain Relievers are the Most Effective?
What happens if a patient is allergic or has a bad reaction to medicine?
What are the advantages and disadvantages of intravenous vs. oral intake?
How do Pre-existing Conditions or Complications Increase Pain and Affect Your Treatment Plan?
How do pre-existing conditions affect diet and types of pain relievers the patient can take?
Current Event
My current event addresses how the use of opioid based pain relievers can increase a patient’s chance of developing a dependency on them later in life.
Product
For my product I will be creating a tri-fold board displaying the different methods used to assess a patient’s pain level.
Conclusion
I’m thankful to have had the opportunity to learn more about how pain can be controlled in immediate and long-term post-operative recovery.
Thank You
Thank you to Mrs. Click for guiding me throughout the semester.
Thank you to my mentor for letting me shadow her and see the realities of her work environment.
Thank you to my parents, for supporting me as I spent time at mentorship and doing classwork.
Thank you to my evaluators, for choosing to share their time with me for this presentation.
Works Cited Johnson, Steven Ross. “Geisinger Tackles Post-Op Pain Management without Opiods.” Modern Healthcare, Modern Healthcare, 19 Nov. 2018, www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20181116/NEWS/181119950.