Final answer:
When teaching caregivers about pain in older adults, it's important to highlight that older adults may underreport pain, that sleeping isn't always a sign of pain relief, and that opioids should be used cautiously due to risks of addiction and side effects. Misconceptions such as older adults experiencing more pain or those with cognitive impairment feeling less pain should be corrected.
Step-by-step explanation:
When educating caregivers about the concept of pain in older adults, the nurse should include the following:
- Older patients might underreport pain due to various reasons such as believing that pain is a natural part of aging or fearing dependency on pain medications.
- Sleeping does not necessarily indicate pain relief; pain might still be present even if the patient appears to be resting comfortably.
- Opioids can be used in older patients but with caution, taking into account the potential for serious side effects and the risk of addiction. It's crucial to manage opioids under strict medical supervision.
- It is a misconception that older adults inherently perceive more pain; perception of pain is highly individualized.
- Older adults with cognitive impairment still experience pain. Their ability to express pain may be altered, which requires careful assessment.
Prescription medications for pain, such as opioids and non-opioid medications like NSAIDs, come with differing side effects and risks. NSAIDs may cause issues like gastrointestinal bleeding and an increased risk of stroke, while opioids carry a high risk of addiction and must be managed carefully.