Is pain truly the fifth vital sign? It seems interesting that for centuries the medical field has not contemplated the idea of considering pain as the fifth vital sign. When thinking of vital signs, temparature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and respirations are still what most medical professionals continue to place great emphasis upon. Pain, although added as the fifth vital sign, I would have to question if it is really treated as such.

I am inclined to believe that although pain has finally been recognized as the fifth vital sign, it does not carry the same weight as the other critical vital signs.
Pain management, in my opinion is widely misunderstood. It is of utmost importance to understand the value in identifying pain as the fifth vital, in order to help those individuals suffering from pain to achieve an effective level of relief from the source of pain. Whether that pain a person suffers from is chronic or acute, every person has a right to be free from pain.
In addition to pain being added as the fifth vital sign, it also directly effects the other four components of our vital signs. Pain has been directly related to an increased blood pressure, rapid respiratory rates, as well as an increased pulse. Many times addressing pain management in those individuals suffering is in essence helping to address other irregularities in their vital signs.
Pain must be addressed and readdressed with our primary care physicians, as well as other specialists involved in patient care

It is often the case that the doctors managing our care are unaware of the effectiveness of the current pain regimen. As a registered nurse that advocates for effective pain management on a daily basis within my career, I emphasize the importance of taking pain medications exactly as prescribed by our physicians. Once the pain regimen is followed diligently, it is also of great importance to continue to update our physicians on our progress priop to the next follow up appointment which may be far in advance.