Nursing School: Pain Assessment Using OLD CARTS

Overview

• Discusses the use of the OLD CARTS acronym for assessing patient pain.

OLD CARTS Acronym

• O: Onset
  • When the pain started.
• L: Location
  • Where the pain is located.
• D: Duration
  • How long the pain lasts.
• C: Characteristics
  • Describes the nature of the pain.
• A: Aggravated by
  • Factors that worsen the pain.
• R: Relief by
  • Measures that alleviate the pain.
• T: Treatment Tried
  • What treatments have been attempted.
• S: Severity
  • Intensity of the pain on a scale.

Example Case

• Patient Condition:
  • Pain began yesterday after a fall.
  • Located in the right wrist.
  • Intermittent throbbing pain.
  • Aggravated by movement.
  • Relieved by rest or using a splint.
• Treatment:
  • Ice and ibuprofen tried, with little relief.
• Severity:
  • Currently 4 out of 10.

Conclusion

• Using OLD CARTS provides comprehensive information about the patient's pain.
• Helps in formulating an effective care plan.
• Encourages the viewer to explore more detailed videos on OLD CARTS and another tool, OPQRST, for pain assessment.