16

CHAPTER

305

Narcotic Agonists

Pain is something all of us feel; yet it is difficult for healthcare providers to accu-

rately assess because pain is whatever you say it is. You know it hurts when you

twist an ankle or have a pounding headache. All you want is fast relief. You want

a magic pill to make the pain go away. The pill may be a narcotic agonist that

blocks transmission of impulses from the site of the injury to the area of the

brain that interprets pain.

This chapter explores pain and how healthcare providers assess pain and

manage pain. You'll also learn about narcotic and non-narcotic analgesics and how

they are used to treat pain.

A Close Look at Pain

Narcotic agonists are medications that relieve pain. These are safe and effective

when properly administered. These medications are opioid based and are used to

treat acute or chronic pain from trauma, tumor growth, and from surgical proce-

dures. They are also used to treat pain caused by the progression of diseases or

complications from other conditions.

Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Click here for terms of use.