The nursing role in recognizing and assessing neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain is suffered by approximately 1% of the UK population and poses a vast socio-economic problem through unemployment and expenditure on medical and social services. It also presents a major therapeutic challenge to healthcare professionals, since it can be difficult to recognize and to treat. With the advent of new and effective medications, the prognosis for patients can be significantly improved by early recognition and aggressive therapy. This article aims to equip nurses with the assessment skills to identify neuropathic pain and a basis from which to expedite pain relief through appropriate intervention and referral within the multidisciplinary team.