What assumptions could you draw from this?
Mr. Kelly comes to you today for a burning pain in his lower abdomen. This has gone on for 2 months. He has received radiation for prostatic cancer for the past quarter.
A) This represents persistent pain.
B) His pain reporting is likely to be unreliable.
C) There are “red flags” present.
D) He is depressed.
C) There are “red flags” present.
This scenario is consistent with acute pain, although this may become persistent if it lasts beyond 3 months. The burning quality to the pain should be a red flag, along with descriptions of pain as “discomfort” or “soreness.” Depressed affect or changes in posture or gait are also red flags. Studies have found that pain reporting in the elderly is accurate. Although depression may be present, we have no indications of it in this scenario.
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