Flowsheet of the clinical assessment of pain Believe the patients complaint of pain. Take a careful history of the pain complaint lo place it temporally in the palienI's cancer history Assess the characteristics of each pain, ineluding its sile, its patlern of referral, and its aggravating and relieving faclors. Clarify the temporal aspects of pain: acule, subacute, chronic, episodic, intermitlenT, breakthrough or incident Evaluate the response lo previous and current analgesic therapies Evaluale the psychological stale of the patient. Ask if the patient has a past history of alcohol or drug dependence Periorm a careful medical and neurologic examination Design the diagnostic and therapeutic approach lo suil the individual Reassess the palients response lo pain therapy Diseuss advance directives with the patient and family 0 lo 10 scale for pain intensity is very useful.Flowsheet of the clinical assessment of pain • Believe the patient’s complaint of pain. • Take a careful history of the pain complaint to place it temporally in the patient’s cancer history. • Assess the characteristics of each pain, including its site, its pattern of referral, and its aggravating and relieving factors. • Clarify the temporal aspects of pain: acute, subacute, chronic, episodic, intermittent, breakthrough, or incident. • Evaluate the response to previous and current analgesic therapies. • Evaluate the psychological state of the patient. • Ask if the patient has a past history of alcohol or drug dependence. • Perform a careful medical and neurologic examination. • Design the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to suit the individual. • Reassess the patient’s response to pain therapy. • Discuss advance directives with the patient and family. • 0 to 10 scale for pain intensity is very useful