Reference no: EM133624080

Question 

What is the purpose of this study. In the acute care setting , pain , agitation , and delirium ( PAD ) often occur as interrelated parts of a syndrome rather than as separate entities. Because the three facets of PAD may be similar in presentation , it is often difficult for clinicians to recognize the syndrome and to assess and treat it . The challenge is particularly great in older patients , who are more likely than their younger counterparts to have such comorbid conditions as dementia , which may impair the ability to report pain , or age -related physiologic changes that may affect the metabolism and clearance of certain medications . This article provides an overview of each aspect of PAD , discusses clinical considerations related to the assessment and treatment of the syndrome in older adults receiving acute care , and illustrates the application of published PAD guidelines through the use of a hypothetical patient scenario.