3 Pain Interventions & Medications

Complementary health approaches

Non-pharmacologic pain interventions including distraction, humor, music, imagery, mindfulness practice, cutaneous stimulation, acupuncture, hypnosis, biofeedback, healing or therapeutic touch, and animal-assisted intervention

Opioid analgesics

Strong pain medications derived from or synthetic versions of opium used for moderate to severe pain

Nonopioid analgesics

Pain medications including acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for mild to moderate pain

Adjuvant analgesics

Medications not primarily designed for pain but helpful in pain management, including anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and multipurpose drugs

Numeric Sedation Scale S

Sleep, easy to arouse with no action necessary

Numeric Sedation Scale 1

Awake and alert with no action necessary

Numeric Sedation Scale 2

Occasionally drowsy but easy to arouse with no action necessary

Numeric Sedation Scale 3

Frequently drowsy, drifts off to sleep during conversation, requiring dose reduction

Numeric Sedation Scale 4

Somnolent with minimal or no response to stimuli, requiring discontinuation of opioid and consideration of naloxone

Ongoing pain assessment

Continuous monitoring and evaluation of patient's pain level and response to interventions throughout their care

Breakthrough pain management

Treatment strategies for sudden temporary increases in pain that break through regular scheduled pain medication

Prescription analgesic abuse concern

Awareness and evaluation of potential for misuse, dependence, or addiction related to prescribed pain medications