How can a CNA effectively assess a patient’s pain?

Asking the patient to rate their pain on a scale from 1 to 10 is an effective method for assessing pain because it provides a standardized way for the patient to express their subjective experience. This numerical scale allows the patient to quantify their discomfort, which can help the CNA and the rest of the healthcare team understand the severity of the pain in a clear and measurable way. It also encourages open communication, enabling the patient to share how their pain affects their daily activities and overall well-being.

While observing facial expressions can offer some insights into a patient's pain level, and a patient's medical history may provide context on their pain management, neither of these methods captures the individual's current pain experience as directly and effectively as a numeric rating. Estimating pain based on a patient’s age does not account for variations in pain perception and does not provide an accurate assessment of an individual's pain status. Therefore, using a pain scale is the most reliable approach in this context.