An 87-year-old man with dementia is admitted with a fractured neck of femur. He is in severe pain, cannot use a numerical pain score and becomes more

Question

An 87-year-old man with dementia is admitted with a fractured neck of femur. He is in severe pain, cannot use a numerical pain score and becomes more agitated during personal care. Observations are stable and his daughter says he grimaces when moved. What is the most appropriate assessment?

Accepted Answer

Use an observational pain assessment tool alongside clinical assessment and treat pain proactively

Answer

Use a cognitive test as the main pain assessment as the preferred next management strategy

Answer

Wait for postoperative review before assessing pain as the preferred next management strategy

Answer

Withhold analgesia as the preferred next management strategy in this patient

Answer

Use agitation as proof that antipsychotics are needed first as the preferred next step

Pain assessment in dementia after fracture — SCE Geriatric Medicine MCQ

An 87-year-old man with dementia is admitted with a fractured neck of femur. He is in severe pain, cannot use a numerical pain score and becomes more agitated during personal care. Observations are stable and his daughter says he grimaces when moved. What is the most appropriate assessment?