Pain Management & Analgesia – Key Vocabulary

Key terms and concise definitions drawn from the pain-management lecture covering pharmacologic, non-pharmacologic, assessment and safety concepts relevant to nursing practice.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Non-opioid analgesic/antipyretic metabolised in the liver; max adult dose ≈ 4 g per 24 h.

ALT / AST / GGTP

Liver enzymes monitored for hepatotoxicity, especially in heavy acetaminophen use.

NSAID

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that decreases pain, fever and inflammation (e.g., ibuprofen, ketorolac).

Ketorolac (Toradol)

Potent injectable NSAID often chosen for post-operative nociceptive pain, especially abdominal surgery.

COX-1 / COX-2 Inhibition

Mechanism by which NSAIDs reduce prostaglandin synthesis and inflammation.

Opioid

Class of controlled analgesics (e.g., morphine, fentanyl) acting on CNS μ-receptors to relieve severe pain.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

IV or epidural pump that lets patients self-administer small, frequent opioid doses within set limits.

Breakthrough Pain

Transient flare of pain that ‘breaks through’ a patient’s baseline (around-the-clock) analgesia.

Chronic Pain

Persistent or recurring pain (>3–6 months) best treated with scheduled, long-acting medication.

Acute Pain

Sudden, time-limited pain related to tissue injury or surgery; usually triggers autonomic signs.

Tolerance

Physiological adaptation where higher doses of a drug are needed to obtain the same effect.

Physical Dependence

Body’s adaptation to a drug that produces withdrawal symptoms if the drug is abruptly stopped.

Addiction

Compulsive, maladaptive drug use for non-therapeutic effects despite harm.

Nociceptive Pain

Pain arising from actual tissue injury and inflammation (e.g., surgical incision).

Neuropathic Pain

Pain caused by nerve damage or dysfunction (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, sciatica).

Fentanyl Patch (Duragesic)

Transdermal opioid delivering analgesia for 72 h; dispose with witness because drug remains in patch.

Lidocaine Patch

Topical local-anesthetic patch worn 12 h on / 12 h off for focal musculoskeletal pain.

Epidural / Intraspinal Analgesia

Continuous infusion or PCA of opioid ± local anesthetic into epidural or subarachnoid space.

Bupivacaine

Long-acting local anesthetic often mixed with fentanyl for epidural pain control; may cause lower-body numbness.

Naloxone (Narcan)

Opioid antagonist given for respiratory depression or unresponsiveness; short half-life—may need repeat dose.

Respiratory Depression

Serious opioid adverse effect—slow, shallow respirations (<8/min) requiring immediate intervention.

Sedation Continuum

Alert → Drowsy → Lethargic → Difficult to arouse (emergent) → Stupor/Coma.

Constipation (Opioid Side Effect)

Most common opioid complication; managed with fluids, fibre, laxatives—not just stool softeners.

Non-pharmacologic Pain Measures

Interventions such as heat/ice, massage, relaxation, music, distraction, yoga and pet therapy.

TENS Unit

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation device that delivers low-voltage current for analgesia—common for back pain.

Heat Therapy

Moist or dry warmth that relaxes muscles and improves circulation; usually applied ≤20 min.

Ice Therapy

Cold application that limits inflammation and swelling; effective during first 48 h post-injury (20 min on/off).

Guided Imagery

Cognitive technique in which patients visualise calming scenes to distract from pain.

Biofeedback

Technique using physiologic monitors to teach voluntary control over pain-related responses.

“What’s Up?” Assessment

Mnemonic—Where, How feels, Aggravating/Alleviating, Timing, Severity, Useful data, Patient perception—to structure pain history.

Adjuvant Analgesic

Non-analgesic drug (e.g., antidepressant, anticonvulsant, muscle relaxant) added to enhance pain control.

Equianalgesic Dosing

Conversion table showing equivalent opioid doses (e.g., 10 mg IV morphine ≈ 30 mg PO).

Immediate-Release Opioid

Fast-acting formulation (e.g., morphine IR) used PRN for breakthrough episodes.

Pain Perception

Third phase of pain physiology when stimulus is recognised in the cortex—target of cognitive therapies.

Antidote

A drug that counteracts another (e.g., naloxone reverses opioids, acetylcysteine reverses acetaminophen).

Platelet Count (150-400 × 10⁹/L)

Value monitored when using aspirin or NSAIDs due to bleeding risk.

Straight Catheterisation Threshold

Bladder scan volume (~500 mL) at which urinary retention warrants intermittent catheterisation.