CEACCP: Pain in the patient with burns (Read) for Allied Health

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Key points

• Effective pain management begins with a thorough pain assessment encompassing all aspects of pain and includes function and quality of life, regardless of the age of the sufferer.
• Management depends upon the type of pain (acute, chronic, or cancer).
• Pharmacological management should take into account co-morbidities and potential adverse effects.
• The analgesic ladder should be used for all types of pain with adjuvant drugs where appropriate.
• Complementary therapies can be used with care in the older population.
• Cognitive-behavioural therapy needs more research for use in the older population, but older adults can do well with this approach.
• Guidelines exist for pain management in the older population.