Answer

Introduction

Assessment of chronic pain is paramount in the process of identifying health issues in patients. Chronic pain is caused by several factors which include; psychosocial, behavioral and medical factors. In the assessment of care in the given scenario, the assessment will include an evaluation of patient’s medical history and behaviors. This will help in determining the real cause of pain and thus be able to apply the right intervention. Questions play a great role in the understanding of the patient’s condition and making decisions on whether such assessment should be made again. As a nurse from community nursing service, I will visit John in order to carry out the assessment. The paper will include a rational based on activities that I will undertake. It will also include my two priorities from my initial visit.

In assessing patients with chronic pain, there are various activities which are undertaken. As stated, chronic pain is caused by a number of factors. In my visit, I will seek to identify first the behavioral factors which may be contributing to the condition of the patient. This includes the context of the patient given that he is an old man who has a career. The context in which a patient is situated plays a big role in the evaluation of the patient. The context may affect the body functions and thus, cause chronic pain. This is why health professionals are advised to consider the place in which patients live. In this case, the person in the discussion may be affected by the state of the place in which he lives (Melzack, 1983). Through identifying environmental risks or factors which may affect the state of a patient, it is possible to make recommendations in order to change the situation of the patient. In these recommendations, patients are advised on ways that they can change their context in order to boost the process of recovery. In my assessment, I would seek any item in the context which would contribute to the condition of the patient, and this would help me to make proper recommendations (Melzack, 1983).

Analyzing the context in which John lives would be my priority. This is before applying other methods of assessments. As mentioned, John may be affected by his environment and thus immediate changes may be needed in order to change his condition. This being the case, my first visit would include the analyzes of the area and identification of any environmental factors which may have an effect on John. Health professionals have proven that environmental factors may affect the state of patients considering that low or high temperatures have an effect on people (Williams, 1988). The state of the place in which people live which includes the hygienic status also affects their health. This means that my priority which involves the evaluation of the context may have much effect in the process of identifying the cause of the chronic pain in John (Waddell, Somerville, Henderson, & Newton, 1992).

The second priority includes the evaluation of the psychosocial state of John. This includes his mood, beliefs, patience and expectations. The psychosocial state of patients contributes to their state of health considering that healthcare professionals have provided information regarding the effect of one’s emotional state (Warden, Hurley, & Volicer, 2003). As stated in John’s story, he has not been happy with his current condition and medical therapies which he has been receiving. This being the case, John may be affected by his emotional status and is capable of contributing to his current condition (Bombardier, 2000). According to reports, healthcare professionals are supposed to assess the emotional state of patients during evaluation since they have much effect on their health. John may also be expecting a lot from his medical therapies, and this may make him be more unctuous especially if his activities have not been producing better results. This includes parts of the evaluation that I would make during my visit to John (Main, Wood, Hollis, Spanswick, & Waddell, 1992). Through this, I would be seeking to know whether John may be experiencing some emotional challenges when it comes to handling his case. Stress may lead to pain since it affects the mental conditions of people. The change of mood is very common to people who experience chromic pains. This has been identified as a greater contributor to cases of chronic illnesses in patients. As a nurse, I would seek to know instances which John has been under a state of mood change. This report would help in offering him proper help and stating the right recommendations which ought to be worked on in order to change the condition of John. Though this is the case, it is important to note that chronic pain cannot be fully eliminated since it takes time for patients to recover. However, when patients are offered proper care, their conditions change, and they recover from pain. This is why evaluations and assessments are considered to be very important for patients (Rosenstiel, & Keefe, 1983).

According to reports which have been presented regarding John’s condition, he has been under medical care. This being the case, medicines has effects on the patient’s body, and this may lead to chronic pain which is reported. John may be suffering from the effects of drugs which are provided in order to reduce pain or change his condition (Sprangers, & Aaronson, 1992). There are numerous effects of drugs as the paper will discuss. Medical professionals have stated that some medicines which are used by patients contain substances which affect the state of patients. This being the case, patients experience pain, and this leads to farther complications. As part of priority, I would consider evaluating biomedical help which John has been getting in order to identify the possible cause of his condition (Turk, & Rudy, 1988). I would identify medicines which may have effects on John’s body and those which can cause pain. This will help in providing recommendations as part of the solution which needs to be undertaken in order to change the condition of John. These recommendations would provide a solution which would help to reduce pain. As mentioned before, the process of recovery for patients with chronic pain can be sometimes slow. Many patients may not experience the effect of help that they are offered since their state changes slowly. Pain may keep on coming, and patients may be affected by this. In John’s case, he has been experiencing a condition in which he has been tired due to lack of a solution to his problem. This may be part of recovery process which takes a long time. John case is not severe, but if necessary help is not offered, his condition may lead to other problems. This is why immediate and early help is very important since it ensures that patients are able to recover easily (Carlsson, 1983).

Patient’s history provides a clear view of the source of problems. In this case, the evaluation of John’s condition would help in identifying ways that he can be able to gain help and thus be able to recover. John has also been undertaking various activities which are part of his jobs. This being the case, John may be affected by the amount of work that he does and the condition in his workplace. I would evaluate the state of his job in order to identify possible causes of his situation (Dworkin, Turk, Farrar, Haythornthwaite, Jensen, Katz, & Carr, 2005). This would help to provide a clear solution which would ensure that John is able to recover. There are believes which are held within individuals, and they affect the ways that they recover from their conditions (McCracken, Vowles, & Eccleston, 2004). These beliefs may provide negative views which may lead to farther complications in patients. As a matter of fact, John may be having believes which may be contributing to chronic pain. John is an old man who may have the belief that people of his age cannot be able to recover from this condition. He may also believe that his condition is common, and thus there is no possible help which can be offered. In my assessment, I would seek to know whether John may be affected by these believes which may lead to his state.

A proper interview would ensure that John was able to give information which helps in proposing a proper procedure for John and giving him a solution. I would also introduce a follow-up visit in order to ensure that John is able to recover. Health professionals have recommended physical therapies in the process of changing the conditions of patients. It is important to note that patients with chronic pain require this kind of intervention since it helps them in recovering. Physical therapies help the flow of blood especially parts which may be affected. After a clear evaluation of john’s condition, I would recommend a clear solution based on clear assessments and consultations with medical professionals. Based on recommended procedures I would ensure that John was able to apply the recommended intervention through follow-up. I would establish a way in which I would be visiting John few days in a week in order to make sure that he is able to recover and incase of any need, I would make sure that he is able to get the necessary help. This is part of intervention based on the state of John. As mentioned, patients are affected by various factors which affect their conditions. In this case, I would help John in eliminating believes and emotional challenges which may be contributing to his condition (Gatchel, Polatin, & Mayer, 1995).

Conclusion

In conclusion, John condition may be as a result of biomedical, behavioral and psychosocial factors. As part of my activities, I would evaluate the environment, believes and emotional state of John since they have much effect on his condition. I would also help him to overcome challenges which may be evident as part of intervention. Recommendations would also be based on clear evaluation and consultations with health professionals in order to change John’s condition. Proper care would be based on identified challenges which may be emotional, biomedical and psychological.  Helping a patient to overcome such challenges plays a great role in the process of recovery. Lastly, the source of chronic pain may not be identified easily and thus why continues care is recommended.