Reflection of Learning: Opioids in Pain Management Essay

Opioids are a group of anesthetic agents that work by interacting with the various types of opioid receptors. Opioid drugs are majorly reserved anesthetics that are only used to manage pain that has proved not manageable by non-opioid drugs. Pain Assessment and management initiative (PAMI) has been at the forefront of developing guidelines for healthcare professionals in managing pain. PAMI modules are highly enlightening and have great insights into dealing with pain at any level –starting from mild pain to the most severe kind of pain. The module also has enriched skills in assessment and rating of pain. The knowledge learned in the module is critical for every nurse and ultimately crucial for those who work in the emergency department. In the emergency department, patients visit the hospital with different kinds of pain and varying intensity. Skilled acquired in the module should be more than enough to lead me to better assessment and pain management strategies in the emergency department. Reflection of Learning: Opioids in Pain Management Essay

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The module is very detailed on the use of opioids in managing pain (Tucker et al., 2020). The nurse’s role has been clearly defined, which would help nurses achieve the ultimate goal of alleviating the pain patients suffer from. Opioids require professional administration for optimum effects of these drugs –achieve the therapeutic goal without many adverse effects on the patient. Opioid analgesics have fatal adverse effects on patients, especially if not monitored. For example, opioids expose the patient to the risk of respiratory depression, which can easily lead to death. In addition, opioid drugs can be addictive, so the nurse should ensure the drugs are not used for a prolonged duration. Pediatric patients have special consideration as they cannot express themselves sufficiently, it is up to the healthcare provider to detect any signals of pain from the patient. The module has polished my skills in handling pediatric patients.

All in all, opioids are essential drugs, especially in the surgical department where there may be severe pain. Opioids should be used only when other drugs have failed due to their side effect profile and risk of addiction. To avoid fatal adverse effects, opioid drugs should not be given at doses higher than the minimum lethal dose. Ultimately, the module has greatly insisted on the non-pharmacological therapies of pain management and the use of naloxone –an opioid antagonist that can be used in case of an accidental overdose of opioid analgesics (Wilson et al., 2022). Reflection of Learning: Opioids in Pain Management Essay

References

Tucker, H. R., Scaff, K., McCloud, T., Carlomagno, K., Daly, K., Garcia, A., & Cook, C. E. (2020). Harms and benefits of opioids for management of non-surgical acute and chronic low back pain: a systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54(11), 664-664.

Wilson, M., Brumwell, A., Stowe, M. J., Shelly, S., & Scheibe, A. (2022). Personal experience and awareness of opioid overdose occurrence among peers and willingness to administer naloxone in South Africa: findings from a three-city pilot survey of homeless people who use drugs. Harm Reduction Journal, 19(1), 1-10. Reflection of Learning: Opioids in Pain Management Essay