PALLIMED X PAIN- PQRSTU

Components of a Multidimensional Pain Assessment
I. Identify pain characteristics through use of questions and
physical exam. The acronym PQRSTU may facilitate a thorough,
systematic assessment:

P: Palliating and Provoking Factors
• What makes the pain better or worse?
• What brings on the pain?
• Include physical exam to determine if pain produced or
altered with palpation, movement or positioning (e.g.
psychological, social, spiritual, environmental and/or cultural
factors).
• Include a multi-dimensional focus e.g. psychological, social,
spiritual, environmental and/or cultural factors that make the
pain better or worse e.g. pain worse at night when alone.
medication and treatment history:
– What medications are currently being taken for pain
relief?
– Was the medication used as prescribed?
– What medications and treatments have been used in
the past?
– What other treatments are being/have been used for
pain relief?
– How effective have these medications and treatments
been?


Q – Quality
• What does the pain feel like? (e.g. aching, stabbing,
burning, numbness, tingling).
• What would you have to do to me to make me feel the pain
you are feeling?

R – Radiating Pain
• Does the pain move or travel anywhere?

S – Site
• Show me where you hurt.
• Include a physical exam to help identify specific pain
location.


S – Severity
• How much does it hurt? 0-10
– Symptoms
• Are there any symptoms that accompany the pain?
(e.g. nausea, sweating)



T – Timing
• Onset: When did the pain start?
• Duration: How long does the pain last?
• Frequency: How often do you feel the pain? When are you in
pain? Is the pain there all the time or does it come and go?
– Tolerance
• What amount of pain can you tolerate/live with? (use 0-10
scale)


U – Impact on you
• How has the pain affected your ability to function?
• What do you believe is causing the pain?