Definition: "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage" pain is considered now as the fifth vital sign. Acute pain refers to pain of short duration < 3 months, usually associated with surgery, trauma, or an acute illness. Acute defers from chronic pain because it causes is known, it is usually temporary, usually resolves with healing. Physicians get very little education regarding pain management during the course of medical school and residency training.
Many providers overestimate the risks associated with the use of opiates, such as respiratory depression and addiction. The recognition that poorly treated post-surgical pain is recent, and this knowledge is not routine in education and training. Pain is subjective and cannot be measured even with the most sophisticated medical equipment.…
