Protocol Page 1 of 1

Emergency Department Unit Practice Manual

John Dempsey Hospital Department of Nursing
The University of Connecticut Health Center

PROTOCOL FOR: Back Pain: Nursing Management for the Patient with Low Back Pain

DESIRED PATIENT
OUTOME:

Pat i ent wi l l r ecei ve adequat e pai n cont r ol and medi cal eval uat i on of
pai n.

CLINICAL
ASSESSMENT AND
CARE:


















1. Et i ol ogy of back pai n

2. Pai n scal e assessment and r eassessment wi t hi n 2 hour s af t er
medi cat i on or ot her pai n i nt er vent i ons

3. Vi t al si gns on admi ssi on

4. Al l er gi es

5. Cur r ent medi cat i ons

6. Past medi cal hi st or y

7. Ci r cul at i on, movement , and sensat i on of al l ext r emi t i es

8. Medi cat e f or pai n per MD or der

9. Ur i ne di pst i ck per MD or der Di agnost i c i magi ng per MD or der .

10. Di agnost i c i magi ng per MD or der

REPORTABLE
CONDITIONS:

1. Heme ur i ne hemat ur i a

2. I nadequat e pai n cont r ol .

PATIENT
TEACHING:

1. I nst r uct pat i ent on medi cat i ons, t r eat ment s, and f ol l ow- up car e.





APPROVAL: Emer gency Depar t ment Uni t Revi ew
Nur si ng St andar ds Commi t t ee Uni t Revi ew

EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/ 92

REVISION DATES: 10/ 99, 11/ 02, 2/ 06, 9/ 08

REVIEWED DATES: 9/ 10