Final answer:
A comprehensive pain assessment includes tools like the Mosby and Wong-Baker Faces scales to subjectively measure pain levels, and may also use objective measures like skin conductance fluctuations. It addresses both the physical and psychological aspects of pain, considering the patient's entire background and history, and involves a multidisciplinary review of care.
Step-by-step explanation:
A comprehensive pain assessment includes multiple elements that capture the complex experience of pain. Since pain is a subjective symptom, it cannot be directly measured like vital signs. Therefore, assessment tools such as the Mosby pain rating scale and the Wong-Baker Faces pain-rating scale are used to gauge an individual's level of pain. Additionally, physiological methods like measuring skin conductance fluctuations may offer an objective measure of a patient's pain response. It is crucial to recognize the physical and psychological components of pain, the potential for pain to serve as an adaptive mechanism to prevent further injury, and the chronic nature of pain that might persist even after the initial cause has healed.
Assessments may cover various domains of the patient's experience and history, including demographic information, health perception, behavior, family history, and possibly factors like spirituality, ethnic identity, and willingness to participate in health promotions. In clinical settings, the recovery and care plan often involves a multidisciplinary team reviewing key concerns, which can include pain management strategies.