Source anchor
CMS MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.20.1 is the governed baseline currently attached to this lookup item.
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MDS Lookup
Pain Management
Item Rationale
Matrix review
4 matrix group(s) are already attached for review on this item.
Answer coverage
2 governed answer row(s) are attached for this item.
Answer Codes
Code 0
No
if the medical record does not contain documentation that a scheduled pain medication was received.
Code 1
Yes
if the medical record contains documentation that a scheduled pain medication was received.
What this item is
Item Rationale
When to use it
Use this item when the facility is completing content tied to Section J and needs to stay anchored to v1.20.1.
Reminders
- Current source status: Published.
- Item locator: Manual page J-1
- CMS exact locator: Manual page J-1
- This item has 2 governed answer row(s) attached.
Source awareness
This page is grounded in CMS MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.20.1. Review the exact text and locators before treating the item as final reference content.
Source & Review
Manual
CMS MDS 3.0 RAI Manual v1.20.1
Status
Published
Effective start
2025-10-01
Item locator
Manual page J-1
CMS exact locator
Manual page J-1
Full CMS Text
Item Rationale
Health-related Quality of Life
Pain can cause suffering and is associated with inactivity, social withdrawal, depression, and functional decline. Pain can interfere with participation in rehabilitation. Effective pain management interventions can help to avoid these adverse outcomes.
Planning for Care
Goals for pain management for most residents should be to achieve a consistent level of comfort while maintaining as much function as possible. Identification of pain management interventions facilitates review of the effectiveness of pain management and revision of the plan if goals are not met. Residents may have more than one source of pain and will need a comprehensive, individualized management regimen.
DEFINITION
PAIN MEDICATION REGIMEN Pharmacological agent(s) prescribed to relieve or prevent the recurrence of pain. Include all medications used for pain management by any route and any frequency during the look- back period. Include oral, transcutaneous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, rectal, intravenous injections or intraspinal delivery. This item does not include medications that primarily target treatment of the underlying condition, such as chemotherapy or steroids, although such treatments may lead to pain reduction. Most residents with moderate to severe pain will require regularly dosed pain medication, and some will require additional PRN (as-needed) pain medications for breakthrough pain. Some residents with intermittent or mild pain may have orders for PRN dosing only. Non-medication pain (non-pharmacologic) interventions for pain can be important adjuncts to pain treatment regimens. Interventions must be included as part of a care plan that aims to prevent or relieve pain and includes monitoring for effectiveness and revision of care plan if stated goals are not met. There must be documentation that the intervention was received and its effectiveness was assessed. It does not have to have been successful to be counted.
Steps for Assessment
1. Review medical record to determine if a pain regimen
exists.
2. Review the medical record and interview staff and direct
caregivers to determine what, if any, pain management interventions the resident received any time during the last 5 days. Include information from all disciplines.
Coding Instructions for J0100A-C
Determine all interventions for pain provided to the resident any time in the last 5 days. Answer these items even if the resident currently denies pain.
Coding Instructions for J0100A, Been on a
Scheduled Pain Medication Regimen Code 0, no: if the medical record does not contain documentation that a scheduled pain medication was received.
Code 1, yes: if the medical record contains documentation that a scheduled pain
medication was received. Coding Instructions for J0100B, Received PRN Pain Medication
Code 0, no: if the medical record does not contain documentation that a PRN
medication was received or offered.
Code 1, yes: if the medical record contains documentation that a PRN medication was
either received OR was offered but declined.
DEFINITIONS
SCHEDULED PAIN MEDICATION REGIMEN Pain medication order that defines dose and specific time interval for pain medication administration. For example, “once a day,” “every 12 hours.” PRN PAIN MEDICATIONS Pain medication order that specifies dose and indicates that pain medication may be given on an as needed basis, including a time interval, such as “every 4 hours as needed for pain” or “every 6 hours as needed for pain.” NON-MEDICATION PAIN INTERVENTION Scheduled and implemented nonpharmacological interventions include, but are not limited to, biofeedback, application of heat/cold, massage, physical therapy, nerve block, stretching and strengthening exercises, chiropractic, electrical stimulation, radiotherapy, ultrasound and acupuncture. Herbal or alternative medicine products are not included in this category. Coding Instructions for J0100C, Received Non-medication Intervention for Pain Code 0, no: if the medical record does not contain documentation that a non- medication pain intervention was received.
Code 1, yes: if the medical record contains documentation that a non-medication pain
intervention was scheduled as part of the care plan and it is documented that the intervention was actually received and assessed for efficacy.
Coding Tips
Code only pain medication regimens without PRN pain medications in J0100A. Code receipt of PRN pain medications in J0100B. For J0100B code only residents with PRN pain medication regimens here. If the resident has a scheduled pain medication J0100A should be coded.
Examples
1. The resident’s medical record documents that they received the following pain management
in the last 5 days: Hydrocodone/acetaminophen 5/500 1 tab PO every 6 hours. Discontinued on day 1 of the look-back period. Acetaminophen 500mg PO every 4 hours. Started on day 2 of the look-back period. Cold pack to left shoulder applied by PT BID. PT notes that resident reports significant pain improvement after cold pack applied.
Coding: J0100A would be coded 1, yes.
Rationale: Medical record indicated that resident received a scheduled pain
medication in the last 5 days.
Coding: J0100B would be coded 0, no.
Rationale: No documentation was found in the medical record that resident
received or was offered and declined any PRN medications in the last 5 days.
Coding: J0100C would be coded 1, yes.
Rationale: The medical record indicates that the resident received scheduled non-
medication pain intervention (cold pack to the left shoulder) in the last 5 days.
2. The resident’s medical record includes the following pain management documentation:
Morphine sulfate controlled-release 15 mg PO Q 12 hours: Resident refused every dose of medication in the last 5 days. No other pain management interventions were documented.
Coding: J0100A would be coded 0, no.
Rationale: The medical record documented that the resident did not receive
scheduled pain medication in the last 5 days. Residents may refuse scheduled medications; however, medications are not considered “received” if the resident refuses the dose.
Coding: J0100B would be coded 0, no.
Rationale: The medical record contained no documentation that the resident
received or was offered and declined any PRN medications in the last 5 days.
Coding: J0100C would be coded 0, no.
Rationale: The medical record contains no documentation that the resident
received non-medication pain intervention in the last 5 days.
Matrix Applicability
Nursing Home Subsets
NC - Comprehensive
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
NQ - Quarterly
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
ND - Discharge
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
NP - PPS 5 Day
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
Swing Bed Subsets
SP - PPS 5 Day
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
SD - Discharge
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
OBRA Stand Alone Assessments
OBRA Admission A=01, B=99, F=99, G=^, H=0
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
OBRA Quarterly A=02, B=99, F=99, G=^, H=0
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
OBRA Annual / Sig Chg A=03, B=99, F=99, G=^, H=0 A= 04, B=99, F=99, G=^, H=0
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
OBRA Discharge A=99, B=99, F=10, 11, G=1, 2, H=0
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
D/C Items (Only when A0310F = 10 or 11)
A0310G=1 PDC
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4
A0310G=2 UPD
Marker: x
applies
Locator: MDS Item Matrix v1.20.1 v4