Acute pain

Definition

Acute pain is a type of pain that typically lasts for a short duration and has a sudden onset. It often serves as a warning sign of injury or illness and usually resolves once the underlying cause is treated.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Acute pain is generally associated with tissue damage or inflammation.
2. It can be managed effectively with both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
3. Common pharmacologic treatments include NSAIDs, opioids, and local anesthetics.
4. Untreated acute pain can potentially transition into chronic pain.
5. Assessment of acute pain involves evaluating its intensity, duration, and underlying cause.

Review Questions

• What are the common pharmacologic treatments used for managing acute pain?
• Why is it important to treat acute pain promptly?
• How does acute pain differ from chronic pain in terms of duration and onset?

Related terms

Chronic Pain:

Pain that persists for longer than three months and may continue even after the injury has healed.

NSAIDs:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used to reduce inflammation and alleviate mild to moderate pain.

Opioids:

A class of drugs that include both legal prescription medications and illegal substances; they are often used to manage severe acute or chronic pain.