Pain management requires collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, including nurses, health care providers, pharmacists, and sometimes pain specialists. There are many different types of pain medications (called analgesics) that can be administered by various routes. Analgesics are classified as nonopioids, opioids, or adjuvants. An adjuvant is a medication that has been found in clinical practice to have either an independent analgesic effect or additive analgesic properties when administered with opioids. Examples of adjuvant medications include antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) and anti-seizure medications (e.g., gabapentin).

A general rule of thumb when administering analgesics is to use the lowest dose of medication, with fewest potential side effects and the least invasive route of administration, to effectively treat the level of pain as reported by the client. The WHO ladder was originally developed by the World Health Organization for selecting analgesics for clients with cancer pain, but it can be broadened to illustrate this rule of thumb for managing pain appropriately for all clients. See Figure 11.6^[1] for an image of the WHO ladder.

For example, if a client reports a pain level of “2,” then a nurse typically starts at the lowest rung of the WHO ladder and administers a prescribed nonopioid via the oral route. If the nonopioid is not effective, then a prescribed adjuvant medication may be administered, or the nurse may decide to step up a rung on the ladder and administer a prescribed oral opioid for mild to moderate pain. On the other hand, if a client reports severe pain, the nurse may start at the top rung of the ladder and administer a prescribed opioid for moderate to severe pain via the intravenous route for rapid relief.

Nonopioid Analgesics

Nonopioid analgesics include acetaminophen and NSAIDs.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is used to treat mild pain and fever but does not have anti-inflammatory properties. Acetaminophen is safe for all ages and can be administered using various routes, such as orally, rectally, and intravenously. Many over-the-counter (OTC) medications contain acetaminophen, along with other medications. See Figure 11.7^[2] for an image of acetaminophen (Tylenol) and acetaminophen and diphenhydramine (Tylenol PM).

A potential severe side effect of acetaminophen is hepatotoxicity (severe liver damage). Severe liver damage may occur if an adult client takes more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours (or 3,200 mg for older adults or 2,000 mg for chronic alcoholics) or consumes three or more alcoholic drinks every day while using acetaminophen.

Because some medications are combined with acetaminophen or are prescribed “as needed,” the nurse must calculate the cumulative dose of acetaminophen over the previous 24-hour period before administering an additional dose. For example, Percocet 5/325 contains a combination of oxycodone 5 mg and acetaminophen 325 mg and may be prescribed as “1-2 tablets every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.” If two tablets are truly administered every four hours over a 24-hour period, this would add up to 3,900 mg of acetaminophen, exceeding the recommended guidelines for a geriatric client, with the potential for causing liver damage.

NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide mild to moderate pain relief and also reduce fever and inflammation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins. They can also be used as an adjuvant with opioids for severe pain. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, and ketorolac. All NSAIDs, except aspirin, increase the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and stroke, with the risk being higher if the client takes more than is directed or takes it for longer than directed. Common side effects include dyspepsia, nausea, and vomiting, so it is helpful to administer this medication with food. Older adults and those taking NSAIDs concurrently with other drugs, such as warfarin or corticosteroids, are at elevated risk for gastrointestinal bleeding. Renal failure can also occur with NSAIDs.

• Ibuprofen is an over-the-counter medication that is safe for infants six months or older. It is typically prescribed every six to eight hours.
• Naproxen is an over-the-counter medication that is longer acting than ibuprofen and is typically prescribed every 8to 12 hours with a full glass of water.
• Ketorolac is a prescribed medication commonly used to treat “breakthrough” pain that occurs during the treatment of severe acute pain already being treated with opioids. It is indicated for the short-term management (up to five days in adults) of moderate to severe acute pain that requires analgesia at the opioid level. Ketorolac is safe for adults, but the dosage should be reduced for clients ages 65 and over and renal function must be closely monitored.

Opioid Analgesics

Opioids are used to treat moderate to severe pain and work by blocking the release of neurotransmitters involved in the processing of pain. Different opioids have different levels of analgesia, with codeine having the lowest strength and hydromorphone and fentanyl having the highest strength. Morphine is commonly used to treat severe cancer pain and end-of-life pain because there is no ceiling effect, meaning the higher the dose, the higher the level of analgesia, but also the higher level of sedation and respiratory depression. See Table 11.4a for a summary of common opioids. As always, check a drug reference for current dosage ranges before administering medications.

Table 11.4a Common Opioid Analgesics

Tramadol is available in immediate release and extended-release forms. Immediate release is prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pain when other pain medications cannot be tolerated or are not effective. Immediate-release tramadol is not intended for use as an “as needed” medication but rather for pain episodes lasting less than a week. The extended-release forms are used to treat chronic ongoing pain.^[3]

Morphine is administered via various routes of administration, including orally, rectally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously, and transdermally. See Figure 11.8^[4] for an image of a vial of morphine for injection or intravenous use.

Some types of opioids can be administered through the skin, such as the fentanyl transdermal patch. See Figure 11.9^[5] for an image of a fentanyl transdermal patch.

Alternative Routes of Administration of Opioids

Analgesic medications can be administered via several routes, including orally, rectally, subcutaneously, and intravenously. Intramuscular routes are typically avoided. Other routes of administration include patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), intrathecally, and by epidural.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) is a method of pain management that allows hospitalized clients with severe pain to safely self-administer opioid medications using a programmed pump according to their level of discomfort. See Figure 11.10^[6] for an image of a PCA pump. A computerized pump contains a syringe of pain medication and is connected directly to a client’s intravenous (IV) line. Pain medication includes morphine, hydromorphone, and fentanyl. Doses of medication can be self-administered as needed by the client by pressing a button. However, the pump is programmed to only allow administration of medication every set number of minutes with a maximum dose of medication every hour. These pump settings, and the design of the system requiring the client to be alert enough to press the button, are safety measures to prevent overmedication that can cause sedation and respiratory depression. For this reason, no one but the client should press the button for administration of medication (not even the nurse.) Nurses closely monitor clients receiving PCA medications for respiratory depression and oversedations, including their respiratory rate, SpO2, sedation level, and mental status.

In other cases, the PCA pump delivers a small, continuous flow of pain medication intravenously with the option of the client self-delivering additional medication as needed, according to the limits set on the pump.

To document the amount and frequency of pain medication the client is receiving, as well as to prevent drug diversion, the settings on the pump are checked at the end of every shift as part of the bedside report. The incoming and outgoing nurses double-check and document the pump settings, the amount of medication administered during the previous shift, and the amount of medication left in the syringe. The PCA pump is locked with a special key to keep the medication secure.

Intrathecal Pump

Another type of pump used to deliver pain medication is the intrathecal pump. This pump is surgically implanted under the skin and delivers small quantities of pain medication, such as morphine, directly into the spinal fluid. It is used to treat pain and muscle spasticity when other methods have not effectively treated the pain. It is typically used for clients with severe chronic pain, such as cancer pain, back pain, or nerve pain. However, the FDA urges cautious use because it has received numerous Medical Device Reports (MDRs) describing adverse events with implanted pumps. These reports describe pump failures, dosing errors, and other potential safety issues. Client symptoms described in these reports include pain, opioid withdrawal, fever, vomiting, muscle spasm, cognitive changes, weakness, and cardiac and respiratory distress.^[7]

Epidural

A third route of alternative administration of pain medication is epidural anesthesia. See Figure 11.11^[8] for an image of an epidural anesthesia. Morphine is administered into the spinal fluid via an epidural catheter for severe pain management associated with surgical procedures or during labor and delivery. It is also used to treat chronic pain that has not responded to other treatments. Epidural administration of five mg of morphine provides adequate postoperative analgesia for up to 24 hours.^[9]

Adverse Effects of Opioids

Respiratory Depression

The most serious potential adverse effect of opioids is respiratory depression. Respiratory depression is usually preceded by sedation. The nurse must carefully monitor clients receiving opioids for oversedation, which results in decreased respiratory rate. Clients at greatest risk are those who have never received an opioid and are receiving their first dose, those receiving an increased dose of opioids, or those taking benzodiazepines or other sedatives concurrently with opioids. If a client develops opioid-induced respiratory depression, the opioid is reversed with naloxone that immediately reverses all analgesic effect.^[10] Nurses should be aware that if a client is physically dependent on opioids, the administration of naloxone will cause immediate and severe withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and tremors. See Figure 11.12^[11] for an image of a naloxone rescue kit to treat respiratory depression caused by opioids.

Opioids can cause several other common adverse effects, such as constipation, nausea and vomiting, urinary retention, and pruritus (itching).

Constipation

Opioids slow peristalsis and cause increased reabsorption of fluid into the large intestine, resulting in slow-moving, hard stools. Nurses play an important role in preventing constipation for all clients taking opioids. A bowel management program should be initiated with the first dose and continued until the opioid is discontinued. A stool softener (such as docusate) is typically prescribed initially as part of the bowel management program. If needed, a stimulant laxative, such as sennoside (Senna), bisacodyl, or Milk of Magnesia may be added to maintain a normal bowel pattern. However, stimulants should not be taken long-term because they can be addictive. Clients taking opioids should be encouraged to increase fluid and fiber intake and ambulate, as appropriate.^[12]

Nausea and Vomiting

Nausea and vomiting can occur with opioid administration due to several factors, such as the slowing of gastrointestinal motility, constipation, or stimulation of the vestibular system. Tolerance will develop to these adverse effects within a few days. Treatment includes antiemetics, such as compazine or ondansetron.^[13]

Urinary Retention

Urinary retention is common in opioid-naive clients or when opioids are delivered via the spinal route. Urinary catheterization may be required if the client is unable to void. Tolerance to this effect occurs within a few days.^[14]

Pruritus

Pruritus (itching) may occur, especially when opioids are administered via the spinal route. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl), may be used to treat pruritus, but the client should be monitored for potential sedative effects of this medication.^[15]

Adjuvant Medications

Adjuvants are medications that are not classified as analgesics but have been found to contribute to analgesic effects, especially when used in addition to opioids. Two common examples of adjuvant medications are amitriptyline and gabapentin.

Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that is also believed to be effective in treating neuropathic pain, such as diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, or post‐stroke pain. The mechanism of action of amitriptyline in the treatment of neuropathic pain remains uncertain, although it is known to inhibit both serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake. It is usually administered at bedtime in an attempt to reduce any sedative effects during the day.^[16]

Gabapentin

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that is also effective in treating neuropathic pain and restless leg syndrome. Clients taking gabapentin should be warned that their mental health may change in unexpected ways or they may become suicidal. Nurses should implement fall precautions for clients taking gabapentin because it can cause sleepiness, weakness, and unsteadiness.^[17]

Nonpharmacological Interventions

Nonpharmacological interventions can be used with or without pharmacologic interventions and often provide tremendous benefits to the client. A variety of techniques can be selected by the client that best fit their needs and goals. Nonpharmacological interventions should be documented in the plan of care and their effectiveness evaluated in terms of their ability to meet the client’s goals for pain relief. Table 11.4b provides examples of several types of nonpharmacological interventions.

Table 11.4b Nonpharmacological Interventions

See Figure 11.13^[18] for images of various nonpharmacological interventions.

Clients may also consider using complementary health approaches to manage chronic pain. Complementary approaches include acupuncture, massage therapy, meditation, relaxation techniques, spinal manipulation, Tai Chi, yoga, and dietary supplements. Read more about complementary approaches provided in the following box.