Assess the patient for pain (in all patients)
Determine the cause of the pain by history and examination (for
new pain and any change in pain).
• Where is the pain? What makes it better/worse? Describe it. What
type of pain is it? What are you taking now for the pain?
• Use the Acute Care guidelines to determine if there is an infection
or other problem with specifi c treatment. Prompt diagnosis and
treatment of infection is important for pain control.