Acute pain and substance abuse in surgical patients.
Studies have determined that nurses and physicians undermedicate patients for postoperative pain as a result of inadequate knowledge and erroneous attitudes. Fear of addiction seems to be the major reason for this undertreatment. A patient who abuses drugs requires larger than usual doses of narcotics postoperatively; however, larger doses are rarely given. This article emphasizes factors influencing the postoperative pain experience and presents 3 case studies to illustrate pain management in patients who abuse substances.
Tucker
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Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Department of Nursing, Torrance 90509.
D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000451:nursing; D013810:Therapeutic Equivalency
D000700:Analgesics