MDS Alert

Are rates of self-reported pain higher or lower than those of observed rates?

Being able to identify a resident’s pain levels is crucial not only for providing adequate comfort and care, but also for properly coding the Pain Assessment Interview (items J0300 through J0600) on the MDS. Find out how well you know your pain assessment facts by taking this quick quiz based on the RAI Manual, and then turn to page 36 to see the correct responses.

Question 1: What is the look-back period for the Pain Assessment Interview items J0300 through J0600?

a) 14 days
b) 7 days
c) 5 days
d) None of the above

Question 2: When conducting the pain assessment interview, you should listen for residents using other terms for “pain,” such as:

a) Hurt
b) Burning
c) Aching
d) All of the above

Question 3: How should you code items J0300 through J0600 if the resident refuses to answer one of the items?

a) 9 — Unable to answer
b) Dash [-]
c) Leave blank
d) None of the above

Question 4: According to the RAI Manual, rates of self-reported pain are higher than observed rates.

a) True
b) False

Question 5: When a resident is having difficulty choosing between two of the provided responses for item J0400 — Pain Frequency, you should code:

a) The less frequent of the two.
b) The more frequent of the two.
c) 9 — Unable to answer
d) Dash [-]

Question 6: For item J0600 — Pain Intensity, the resident chooses to use the Numeric Rating Scale (J0600A). What should you do about coding J0600B — Verbal Descriptor Scale?

a) Enter a dash [-].
b) Enter 9 — Unable to answer.
c) Leave it blank.
d) Select the pain intensity response that best matches the answer in J0600A.

Question 7: How should you code item J0300 — Pain Presence if the resident has experienced no pain during the look-back period only because his pain meds have been effective?

a) 0 — No
b) 1 — Yes
c) 9 — Unable to answer
d) Dash [-]