title: Reducing the effects of acute pain in critically ill patients.
abstract: Unrelieved pain in critically ill patients can increase mortality, morbidity, length of stay, and use of resources. This article reviews the physiologic basis of acute pain and the pathophysiologic sequelae that may ensue when critically ill patients experience acute pain. The author recommends strategies critical care nurses and advanced practice nurses can use to provide effective analgesia and potentially improve patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Marquette University College of Nursing, Milwaukee, Wis., USA. cheeverk@vms.csd.mu.edu
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Cheever
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000700:Analgesics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods*; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics