N511 Module 3: Discussion Question: Pharmacological versus Nonpharmacological Methods for Chronic Pain
N511 Module 3: Discussion Question: Pharmacological versus Nonpharmacological Methods for Chronic Pain
N511 Module 3: Discussion Question:
Review the IOM report brief of June 2011, Relieving pain in America: A blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research, at Relieving Pain in
America.
After reviewing this report, discuss the barriers and challenges to treating pain. Compare and contrast the benefits and drawbacks of treating chronic pain with pharmacologic versus non-pharmacologic methods. Locate at least one scholarly website or video that discusses treatment of chronic pain.
Your initial posting should be 200 to 300 words in length and utilize at least one scholarly source other than the textbook. Please reply to at least two classmates. Replies to classmates should be at least 100 words in length. To properly “thread” your discussion posting, please click on REPLY.
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You are responsible for minimally at least 3 posts for each question in your discussion boards; your initial post and reply to two of your classmates. Your initial post(s) should be your response to the questions posed in the discussion question. You should research your answer and cite at least one scholarly source when appropriate, and always use quality writing. The discussion board is never a place to use text language or emoticons. You will also be asked to respond to your classmates. This is designed to enhance the academic discussion around the topic. It is all right to disagree with something posted by another, however your responses should always be thoughtful and respectful and reflect your opinions professionally.
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N511 Module 3: Discussion Question – Pharmacological versus Nonpharmacological Methods for Chronic Pain
Note: The article referenced in the discussion question continues to be unreachable, as it “will not connect to server” per the link provided in Safari, Explorer, and Firefox; therefore, I will address the overarching question without the provided reference because it is now Friday and the post is overdue.
Treating pain is a multi-faceted issue which must take many components into consideration, such as quality of life for the patient, addiction and abuse issues, politics, comorbidities, education and attitudes surrounding pain, cultural beliefs, any other medications the patient may be taking, the use of alternative therapies, whether the pain is chronic or acute, the source of pain, noncompliance, effective communication about the severity of pain to include utilizing the appropriate pain scale when discussing pain with the patient, and many other issues. These issues represent a handful of the many barriers and challenges to treating pain. For the purpose of this discussion, the topic of treating chronic pain with pharmacologic versus non-pharmacologic means will be the primary focus.
Chronic pain, the leading cause of disability in America, is often treated quite effectively by pharmacological means (Wilburs, 2015). Pharmacological intervention for patients with chronic pain can be an effective way to address moderate to severe pain which is unrelieved by other methods. An example of this is an oncology patient undergoing chemotherapy. Nurses and other health professionals understand that chemotherapy is non-selective and therefore targets the body’s healthy cells as well as the malignant cells. This process often results in severe pain which can be chronic, pain that is unrelieved by deep breathing exercises and require the use of medication to block those sensations in order to simply function in their everyday life. These patients are often dependent, but not addicted, to opioid pain medications such as slow-release Fentanyl patches, Roxinol, or even oral Dilaudid. These medications, by reducing the patient’s pain level, also increases the patient’s quality of life and decreases anxiety, both for the patient and the patient’s caregivers (Adams, Holland, & Urban, 2014). Another example is nerve damage following trauma or surgery, a pain that is still highly misunderstood and widely debated. This type of chronic pain utilizes different classes of medications with a different mechanism of action but with the same general principles—relief from pain to the point of functionality and possible dependence in order to maintain that functionality, though the possibility of addiction is much lower (Wilburs, 2015). On the other hand, pain medication side effects can be difficult to manage, in addition to the possibility of addiction and other issues listed previously. Some of these side effects may be pruritis, constipation, nausea and vomiting, hallucinations, orthostatic hypotension, anaphylaxis, medication interaction, hepatotoxicity, insomnia, respiratory depression, shock, cardiac arrest, and death (Adams, Holland, & Urban, 2014).
With the newly termed ‘War on Opioids’ as well as the sometimes severe side effects of pain medications which may prove worse than the original pain issue for many patients, providers are beginning to more seriously consider the use of alternative therapies in the treatment of chronic pain. Natural therapies such as yoga, massage therapy, nutrition, and deep breathing techniques are popular alternatives to pharmacological treatment. Many states have even legalized the use of marijuana (an herb) for medicinal use. Other alternative practices include music or art therapy, prayer, physical therapy, or the use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator (TENS). These therapies carry few or none of the side effects associated with pharmacological intervention, making it an increasingly preferred alternative (Adams, Holland, & Urban, 2014).
N511 Module 3: Discussion Question References
Adams, M., Holland, N., & Urban, C. (2014). Pharmacology for nurses: A pathophysiologic
approach (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education Inc.
Wilbers, L. E. (2015). The experience of chronic pain management: A multi-voiced narrative
analysis (Order No. 3715022).
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