Course Outline
Need for pain control
Pain classification
- Nociceptive pain
- Neuropathic pain
Pain assessment
Adjective pain intensity scale
Numerical pain intensity scale
Visual analog scale
Misconceptions about pain and analgesics
Pharmacologic management
- NSAIDs
- Opioid analgesics
- Mechanics of action
- Dosage and frequency
- Routes of administration
Nonpharmacologic management
- Cognitive-behavioral
- Physical agents
Examples of nonpharmacologic interventions for postoperative pain
Postoperative pain management
Dental surgery
References
Learning Objectives
After completing this course, you’ll be able to:
- Define pain.
- List at least 5 responses to the trauma of surgery.
- Classify pain according its origin and duration.
- Distinguish between acute and chronic pain.
- Illustrate 3 pain measurement tools, and explain the process of pain assessment.
- Dispel general misconceptions about pain and analgesics.
- Distinguish between the analgesic actions of NSAIDs and opioids.
- List 3 classes of opioid analgesics.
- Describe the pharmacokinetics and use of opioid analgesics in the management of postoperative pain.
- Discuss the nonpharmacologic approach to pain management and indicate 5 categories of patients for whom such an approach might be appropriate.
- List 5 methods of cognitive-behavioral approach to postoperative pain management.
- Describe the use of TENS therapy in pain management.
- Discuss measures for effective pain management after dental surgery.