What must happen if pain is identified in a patient?

When pain is identified in a patient, a Pain Treatment Plan must be developed as it is essential for providing comprehensive care. This plan serves as a structured approach to assess and manage the patient's pain effectively, ensuring that it is addressed in a manner tailored to the individual's needs. Developing a treatment plan involves evaluating the source and intensity of the pain, considering the patient’s medical history, and selecting appropriate interventions.

Moreover, creating a pain management plan promotes better communication among healthcare team members, facilitates ongoing assessment, and leads to improved patient outcomes. Pain management is a critical aspect of patient care and involves not just prescribing medications but also incorporating non-pharmacological approaches, education, and follow-up care.

Other options do not effectively address the need for a systematic approach to managing pain. For example, while referring to a specialist may be appropriate in certain cases, immediate referral is not always necessary or practical. Similarly, sedating patients without addressing the underlying pain is not considered a best practice, as it does not resolve the issue. Documentation is important, but it should accompany action to ensure pain management is effectively implemented. Developing a Pain Treatment Plan is thus the most appropriate course of action following the identification of pain in a patient.