TN News: Nursing Care for Patients with TN

Possible Nursing Diagnoses for Patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN):

1. Chronic/Acute pain related to disease process as evidenced by patient report, demeanor, increased blood pressure, pulse, and respiration, visible distress
2. Chronic anxiety related to chronic bouts of acute pain, as evidenced by patient report of anxiety, sleeplessness, etc.
3. Social isolation related to chronic acute bouts of pain, as evidenced by difficulty maintaining previous social relationships at school, work, in family, and friendships at former level of involvement.
4. Risk for suicide related to chronic acute bouts of pain, as evidenced by patient report of hopelessness and/or depression, suicidality; positive diagnostic assessment for depression and/or suicidality.
5. Risk for activity intolerance related to chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue, symptoms of medications used to manage disease process, as evidenced by reduced ability to perform ADLs (activities of daily living) such as shopping, driving, personal hygiene such as brushing teeth, etc.

Nursing Interventions for Acute/Chronic Pain:

1. Medication management such as administration of anti-seizure medications known to decrease symptoms of some neuralgias (eg. Gabapentin/Neurontin, etc).
2. Guided visualizations to distract patient from pain and aid in sense of calm, relaxation, safety.
3. Distraction through music therapy, art therapy, video games, movies, etc.
4. Cognitive-behavioral therapy geared towards improving coping skills of patient in dealing with bouts of chronic pain.
5. Patient and family education regarding pain management options including non-medication interventions such as visualizations, distraction, and alternative medicine.