UNIT III DRUGS USED TO MANAGE PAIN

Pain can be defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience that is associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Pain is subjective, and the patient s report of pain should always be taken seriously. Pain management in acute and chronic illness is an important responsibility of the nurse Many nurses consider pain as the fifth vital sign and assessment of pain just as important as the assessment of temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure Accurate assessment of pain is necessary if pain management is to be effective Fhtients with pain are often undertreated. 

Basically there are three types of pain acute pain, chronic pain associated with malignant disease, and chronic pain not associated with malignant disease Acute pain is of short duration and lasts less than 3 to 6 months. Intensity of acute pain is from mild to severe Causes of acute pain include postoperative pain, procedural pain, and traumatic pain. Acute pain usually subsides when the injury heals. 

Chronic pain lasts longer than 6 months and ranges in intensity from mild to severe Chronic pain associated with malignancy includes the pain of cancer, acquired 

The exact cause of chronic pain of a nonmalignant nature may or may not be known. This type of pain includes the pain associated with various neuropathic and musculoskeletal disorders such as headaches, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. 

The next three chapters deal with dragp used in the management of pain the nonnarcotic analgesics (salicylates, nonsalicylates [acetaminophen], and the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory dragp) and the narcotic analgesics. 

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