title: Pharmacological techniques for managing acute pain in emergency departments.
abstract: Pain is a common reason to attend hospital but it is often inadequately managed. This article examines the physiology of pain and suggests the most effective pharmacological techniques to control it.
authors.affiliation: Whittington Hospital, London.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Butcher
mesh_terms: D000082:Acetaminophen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000698:Analgesia / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing*; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016529:Emergency Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000451:nursing
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D000082:Acetaminophen