Pain assessment and management is a crucial part of compassionate and effective patient care. Healthcare providers must be more accurate with their pain assessment skills and more effective in their pain management strategies. Scientific advancements in the understanding of the mechanisms of pain, multidisciplinary methods of assessment and management, the wide array of integrative treatment strategies, and the improvement of medications to treat pain have contributed to the wealth of knowledge in this area.
The outcome of this certificate program is for the learner to describe key elements related to pain assessment and management, especially in specific populations.
(14.0 contact hours)
Expiration Date (Next date of course revision): 06/01/2026
No one in a position to control content has conflicts of interests or relevant financial relationships to declare for this activity.
Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA approval or endorsement of any commercial product.
Accreditation:
American Nurses Credentialing Center
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited with distinction as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.
Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing nursing education only and does not imply ALLEGRA Learning Solutions or Commission on Accreditation approval or endorsement of any commercial product(s).
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions courses are acceptable for continuing education in all states.
American Board of Managed Care Nursing
The American Board of Managed Care Nursing recognizes all of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions' ANCC accredited courses for continuing education credit for Certified Managed Care Nurses (CMCNs).
National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions is an approved provider with the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) (Provider #107194).
National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. To satisfy the requirement for renewal of certification by continuing education for the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE), continuing education activities must be applicable to diabetes and approved by a provider on the NCBDE List of Recognized Providers (www.ncbde.org). NCBDE does not approve continuing education.
National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork
ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider (Provider Number 451562-11).
Instructor(s):Cyndie Koopsen
Cyndie Koopsen, RN, BSN, MBA, HNB-BC, RN-BC, HWNC-BC is a nurse who has cared for patients in acute care settings, community clinics, and the home. Her professional nursing career has involved nursing executive leadership and administration, accreditation consultation, staff development and education, community education and wellness, and holistic care. She has designed, developed, and presented numerous educational programs for audiences covering integrative health, promotion and wellness, and chronic disease management and prevention. She is the co-author (with Caroline Young) of two health care textbooks. She is the co-CEO and co-founder of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC and has designed and developed over 300 online professional continuing education courses.
Caroline Young
Caroline Young, M.P.H., has an extensive public health background that includes experience in research, workshop presentations in various areas of health care, and online and onsite teaching. She has expertise in holistic community health and wellness program design, development, marketing, implementation, and evaluation. She has also designed, developed, and presented integrative health programs for culturally diverse populations, senior populations, and faith communities. She is the co-author (with Cyndie Koopsen) of two health care textbooks. She is the co-CEO and co-founder of ALLEGRA Learning Solutions, LLC and has designed and developed over 300 online professional continuing education courses.
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 8 or later.
- Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.
Completion Requirements:
You must complete all lessons to receive your certificate. You must pass the final exam in all lessons with a score of 80% or higher AND complete the Evaluation Form in order to receive your Certificate of Completion. Finals are graded as Pass or No Pass. Receipt of your certificate indicates successful completion of the course and that you have passed all final exams with a score of 80% or greater. You may retake final exams as many times as necessary within the duration of the course at no additional charge.
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Lesson 1
Pain Theory and Assessment Principles
Pain is a universal phenomenon. Pain is the fifth vital sign and its assessment is crucial in the comprehensive care of every patient. Pain is a subjective concept and is whatever the client says it is. Pain is experienced across all age groups, across all socioeconomic levels, and in all settings and exists within the context of a culture, as well as within personal, physical, and psychological history. Pain and the search for relief is one of the primary reasons a client accesses the healthcare system. It is also one of the most complex and challenging problems in health care and biology.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the types and physiology of pain, variables that affect it, strategies for conducting a complete pain assessment, barriers to assessment, the role of culture, and appropriate pain documentation.
Pain Interventions and Treatment
Effective pain management begins with effective pain assessment. Only after an assessment is completed can the healthcare provider determine how to best manage a client's pain. Barriers to pain management that can lead to the undertreatment of pain need to be evaluated and, if relevant, addressed appropriately. Once an assessment is completed, interventions and treatment options are implemented and evaluated. Interventions and treatment options can include traditional pharmaceutical options as well as integrative therapies.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the medications commonly used for pain relief, the physical and behavioral strategies used for pain relief, the factors that result in the undertreatment of pain, and the management of acute and/or postoperative pain.
Pain Management in Special Populations—Surgery, Cancer, and HIV
Health care professionals often face difficult challenges when working with clients who have undergone surgery or who have cancer or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These clients encounter unique problems with their health conditions, especially when trying to manage their pain.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the types of pain seen in clients who have undergone surgery or are coping with cancer or HIV and to describe the methods, both traditional and nontraditional, for managing these challenging pain concerns.
Pain Management in the Adult—Acute and Chronic Pain
Acute and chronic pain in the adult client have different causes, methods of diagnoses, and interventions. Effective health care providers understand these differences when they assess and manage their clients' pain.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the differences between acute and chronic pain, describe causes and symptoms for each, explain pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for each type of pain, list barriers to effective pain management, and identify factors to consider when educating clients about their pain management regimens.
Pain Management in Special Populations—Children and the Elderly
Helping pediatric and geriatric populations manage their pain requires special consideration regarding the types of medications and strategies chosen, the route through which medications are delivered, and specific comorbidities or metabolic issues that may be present.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe issues unique to the pain management of the pediatric or geriatric patient, including assessing and managing pediatric pain, physiologic changes in aging, behavioral strategies for pain relief, nonpharmacological options for pain control in pediatric and geriatric patients, and pain management in the client with an altered mental status.
Pain Management at the End of Life
Regardless of the cause, pain is a common symptom in clients who are near death. Healthcare providers must understand the tremendous implications of pain and pain symptoms and prioritize the assessment and optimal treatment of pain in clients near the end of life. They must be knowledgeable about alternative routes for analgesia and analgesic dosing and understand when to make referrals to palliative care providers and/or specialists to assist in the compassionate and effective management of pain during this time.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe key concepts related to effective pain management at the end of life, including the roles of the caregiver, hospice provider, and palliative-care provider.
Integrative Therapies for Cancer Pain Management
Many advances have been made in the treatment of cancer during the last several decades and yet effective cancer pain management remains an overwhelming issue for more than 80% of patients. Today, there are numerous options for cancer pain management, ranging from more traditional pharmacological treatments to integrative therapies, including complementary and alternative modalities. Increasingly, research links adequate pain control with improved survival for patients with cancer. The effective treatment of pain for cancer patients must include an examination of all possible treatment modalities in order to ensure the patient receives the most compassionate care available.
The outcome of this course is for the learner to provide a description of the pharmacologic and integrative therapeutic options for individuals with cancer pain.
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