PHARMACOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO PAIN MANAGEMENT

Course overview

Course Objectives: - Discuss the impact that patient and professional variables have on pain and its treatment, and the role that federal and state regulations have on the treatment of pain. - Identify the primary elements of the peripheral and central nervous system related to pain, the primary pain mechanisms, and the difference between nociceptive and neuropathic pain. - Discuss the pharmacological options for the management of pain, including nonopioid analgesics and analgesic adjuvant agents and the mechanism of action of opioids and their receptors and the differences between addiction, tolerance, and dependence. - Discuss the opioids indicated for management of mild to severe acute and chronic pain, the differences between sustained and immediate-release preparations, and nursing interventions for managing the patient receiving opioids along with nonpharmacological physical and cognitive-behavioral modalities for pain management and indications for these therapies.