Rights for Individuals with Pain

Individuals have the right to have pain believed by healthcare professionals, family, and others around them. They also have the right to have pain controlled, the right to be treated with respect, and the right to have pain resulting from treatment and procedures prevented or at least minimized.

Symptoms That Suggest Pain

• Frowning, grimacing, fearful facial expressions, grinding of teeth
• Bracing, guarding, rubbing
• Fidgeting, increasing or recurring restlessness
• Striking out, increasing or recurring agitation
• Resting or sleeping poorly
• Sighing, groaning, crying, breathing heavily
• Decreasing activity levels
• Resisting certain movements during care
• Change in gait or behavior
• Loss of function