Ethical implications of pain management in a nursing home: A discussion

Pain is the most frequently communicated complaint among elderly people. Di scussion of the ethics of pain management in nursing home residents has not appeared in the literature. The purpose of this article is to present an e thically-based pain management action plan for elderly nursing home residen ts. Nurses empowered with the latest information and cognizant and comforta ble with their own views about pain are likely to effectuate a positive pat ient outcome. Further research will add to the current knowledge base while laying the groundwork for new interventions.