A nurse plans care for an older adult with advanced dementia. Which of the following plans is most appropriate regarding the pain treatment plan?
A) Monitor assessment findings including vital signs for indications of pain.
B) Treat pain that is implied by contractures and diagnoses of arthritis.
C) Understand that persons with dementia do not experience pain.
D) When the client begins wandering treat the client for pain.
Ans: B
Dementia does not directly affect one's experience of pain but it does alter the ability to express pain, as well as other needs. Disruptive behaviors that do not involve locomotion were more strongly correlated with pain in comparison to behaviors (e.g., wandering) that involved locomotion. Compare current assessment findings with the person's baseline function, but recognize that the person's usual level of functioning may be affected by undiagnosed and undertreated pain. Assess for indicators of underlying causes of pain, such as chronic conditions, and treat this potential pain.
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