Pain Management Flashcards

What is the WHO analgesic ladder?

Answer: A stepped approach to pain management: Step 1 (non-opioids), Step 2 (weak opioids), Step 3 (strong opioids)

The WHO ladder provides a systematic approach to pain management, starting with simple analgesics and progressing to stronger options based on pain severity and response.

What is the maximum daily dose of paracetamol for adults?

Answer: 4 grams (4000mg) in divided doses with at least 4 hours between doses

The maximum safe dose is 4g daily for healthy adults, with at least 4 hours between doses. Lower maximums apply to elderly patients and those with liver impairment.

What are the main risks of NSAID use?

Answer: Gastrointestinal bleeding, renal impairment, and cardiovascular events

NSAIDs carry risks of GI bleeding/ulceration, kidney damage (especially with dehydration), and increased cardiovascular events with prolonged use.

Why are opioids prescribed cautiously?

Answer: Risk of dependence, tolerance, respiratory depression, and constipation

Opioids carry significant risks including physical dependence, tolerance requiring increasing doses, life-threatening respiratory depression, and universal constipation.

What is neuropathic pain and how is it treated differently?

Answer: Pain caused by nerve damage, often treated with antidepressants or anticonvulsants rather than standard analgesics

Neuropathic pain (burning, shooting, tingling) results from nerve damage and responds poorly to standard painkillers but often improves with amitriptyline, gabapentin, or pregabalin.

What is a pain assessment tool and why is it important?

Answer: A standardized method for measuring pain intensity to guide treatment decisions and monitor response

Pain assessment tools (like the numeric rating scale 0-10) provide consistent measurement, enabling appropriate treatment selection and monitoring of response.