What is the primary role of a nurse in pain management?

The primary role of a nurse in pain management encompasses a comprehensive approach, where assessing pain levels is critical to understanding the patient's experience and needs. This involves not only determining the intensity and nature of the pain but also identifying its effects on the patient's daily activities and emotional well-being. Administering medications is equally important as it involves the responsibility of selecting appropriate pharmacological interventions based on the assessment, while also monitoring the patient for side effects and effectiveness of the treatment.

This dual responsibility highlights the nurse's role as a vital communicator between the patient and the healthcare team, ensuring that pain management strategies are tailored to individual patient situations and adjusted as needed. By assessing pain and administering medications, nurses play a key role in enhancing patient comfort and quality of life, which is foundational to holistic patient care.