Pain management 

This course explores how to recognise when a patient is in pain, carry out a pain assessment, and administer appropriate medication safely. Through realistic clinical scenarios and practical guidance, it supports health professionals to assess pain effectively, respond appropriately to patients’ needs, and understand the key principles of safe pain management.

  • 2 hours

    Estimated learning time

  • Case studies

    Practice-based scenarios

  • Certificate

    Awarded on completion

  • Pre & post questions

    Track your learning

Learning objectives


After studying this course you should be able to:

  • Recognise when a patient is in pain 
  • Perform a pain assessment 
  • Administer pain medication safely and monitor the effects and side-effects 
  • Identify the barriers to effective post-operative pain relief 
  • List the consequences of poor pain management and describe how to avoid them 
  • Discuss the importance of patient empowerment to ensure optimal recovery in the community 
The discussion areas within each module provide an opportunity to reflect on the content, share experiences from practice, and learn from other health professionals. Taking part in discussions can help support participatory learning as part of your CPD activity.

Course author

Amelia Swift, Lecturer, University of Birmingham

All Nursing Times courses are written by expert nurses and double-blind peer reviewed.

Ⓒemap. All rights reserved.

Last updated 2019
Disclaimer
Healthcare knowledge is constantly changing and we have taken reasonable care to ensure that the content included in this is accurate and up to date at the time it was created. Nursing Times courses are provided for general reference and learning purposes only: they cannot of course take account of individual circumstances and should not therefore be relied upon on their own in connection with administering medicines or providing treatment. We strongly advise users to confirm that the information provided, especially with regard to drug usage, complies with all current legislation and standards of practice. By proceeding to access this course you confirm your acceptance of, and agreement to, these terms.