Abstract
Regular assessment for the presence of pain and response to pain management strategies should be high priority in terminally ill patients. Pain management interventions are most effective when treatments are individualized based on the various physical and nonphysical components of pain at the end of life, and patients and family are educated and involved in the decision making. Opioids remain the cornerstone of pain management, and adjuvant analgesics and nonpharmacologic options are usually considered after relative stabilization of pain. This article describes the various issues that are pertinent to the assessment and treatment of pain in terminally ill patients.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 195-223 |
Number of pages | 29 |
Journal | Primary Care - Clinics in Office Practice |
Volume | 38 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2011 |
Keywords
- Opioids
- Pain management
- Palliative care
- Terminal illness
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology (medical)