Analgesics and Pharmacological Pain Management
Analgesics range from non-opioids to opioids. Nurses apply the WHO analgesic ladder, monitor for side effects such as respiratory depression, and assess pain effectively.
Practice Analgesics with PassMate AI →Key Points to Know
What you must know about Analgesics
Non-opioids include paracetamol and NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, diclofenac).
Opioids include morphine, pethidine, codeine, and tramadol.
The WHO analgesic ladder: step 1 non-opioid, step 2 weak opioid, step 3 strong opioid — with adjuvants.
Morphine can cause respiratory depression, constipation, and sedation.
Naloxone is the antidote for opioid overdose/respiratory depression.
NSAIDs can cause gastric irritation and are given with or after food.
NMCN Exam Tips
How this topic appears in the NMCN exam
Respiratory rate is the key parameter to monitor before/after opioids.
Naloxone reverses opioid toxicity — a commonly tested antidote.
Know the WHO analgesic ladder order (non-opioid → weak → strong opioid).
Constipation is an expected opioid side effect requiring proactive management.
Practice Question
Test yourself
Before administering morphine to a post-operative patient, which assessment is MOST important for the nurse to perform?
Explanation
Morphine can cause respiratory depression. Assessing the respiratory rate before administration (and withholding if the rate is low, e.g., below 12/min) is the priority safety action.
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