Qcf Level 3 Unit 53

1.1   The holistic approach to pain, would let you look at the cause of the pain someone who is in pain may be able to take painkillers but if the root cause of the pain was for example a toothache they could be seen by the dentist have the problem sorted out then have to take less pain relief meaning less side effects. For someone with little communication it can be difficult to tell where the pain is but taking an hoilistic approach you may still be able to reduce the pain. The importance of looking at pain holistically would be that you can find the underlying problem and find a more direct way to treat the pain allowing the service user to maintain there health and wellbeing as well as alleiviating there pain more efficiently.

1.2 Different approaches that can be used to alleviate pain and discomfort could be to give regular pressure relief doing this retains circulation to areas and could also reduce the risk of pressure sores that would also cause pain and discomfort. Regular turns when in bed which is also relieving pressure from certain areas. Walking to keep the joints moving not letting them stiffen up and cause pain whe you have been sat for a long time or in bed at night, leg streches or gentle movement before you try to move could help to loosen the joints before trying to do daily tasks or activities. Taking regular pain relief for those with constant pain from arthritus etc could relieve thir discomfort allowing them to carry on with what they want to do. Massages could be used to relax muscles and reduce discomfort, also pain relief gels or hot and cold packs.

1.3 Agreed ways of working would be to use the Abbey Pain scale to monitor the pain of a service user, this should be completed on every medication round or if the service user complians of pain inbetween, this shows you how to rate their pain and would help to show any patterns and how effective the pain relief has been. Also the back of the marr sheet should be filled in to show when...