Re: Severe SOB: Is it considered pain?

[Rnlncoh]

In a message dated 2/25/04 12:16:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: We had a terminal COPD patient with Morphine ordered for severe respiratory distress.  Our nurses did not enter the Morphine on the pain sheet but rather on the regular prn medication sheet with the reason "for repiratory distress".  Should distress of this sort be considered pain? Sally The key is whether or not the patient was in pain?  I'm curious about the order simply because morphine can cause respiratory distress.  If you saw s/sx of pain, I would code what you saw and document it, along with the results.  If the patient expressed pain, same thing.  I would also question the physician as to the purpose of the medication and get it clarified.    Sherri