Ministry of Health

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 Published: 28/11/2011

Analgesia in Trauma

Most trauma patients are in significant pain. However pain management should only be considered when resuscitation has been initiated and when the patient's injuries and physiological response to them have been established.

In general pain relief is aided by:

• establishing rapport with the patient

• splinting of injured extremities

• gentle movement and handling

• prevention of shivering

• cooling of burns

Opioids should be given intravenously in severe trauma:
    Titrate in small increments until the desired effect is achieved.
    Beware hypotension, respiratory depression and vomiting.

Local anaesthetics
    Femoral nerve block is very effective for the pain associated with
     femoral fracture.
    In wounds allows exploration.

Last updated on 28/11/2011