Let’s Think About It Again

Pain and Symptom Assessment and Management for Patients with Cognitive Impairment

Case Study

Ms. Bryant is a 30-year-old woman with a past medical history of cerebral palsy with chronic spasticity who was previously quite functional and was listed for a lung transplant. She worked as a journalist, and though at times was easily fatigued, she maintained an active professional life and tried to stay physically active. She had done very well on a mix of antispasmodic medications, gabapentin for neuropathic pain, and episodic short-acting opioids for severe pain crises (approximately once every 3–6 months).