pain 4

Question 1

Management of pain: Opioid Analgesics

Narcotics

Answer 1

Morphine Sulphate
Hydromorphone HCI
Codeine Phosphate
Oxycodone HCI

Question 2

Morphine Sulphate

Answer 2

Used for pain management in AMI and Cancer. May result in

hypotension. Monitor vital signs and respirations.

Question 3

Hydromorphone HCI

Answer 3

7-10 x more potent than Morphine.
Used for post-op and Cancer pain. Contraindicated for patients with
closed head injuries, COPD or recent respiratory depression

Question 4

Codeine Phosphate

Answer 4

Used for mild- moderate pain. Administer with food. Monitor for
constipation. Avoid use in patients with head injuries.
Tramadol Used for moderate-severe pain. Limit alcohol intake. GI upset, dizziness,
sedation, headache are common AE’s

Question 5

Oxycodone HCI

Answer 5

Used for moderate-severe pain. Monitor for constipation. Avoid alcohol.
GI upset, headache, sedation, anxiety are common adverse effects.

Question 6

Methadone HCI

Answer 6

Commonly used for opioid dependence treatment. Can also be used for
severe Cancer pain. Administer in citrus juice. Monitor for sedation and
constipation.

Question 7

Management of pain: Adjuvant therapy

Answer 7

Amitriptyline (Tricyclic antidepressant)
Gabapentin (Anti-convulsant) 
Dexamethasone (Cortico-steroid)
Prednisone (Cortico-steroid)
(Glioblastoma).

Question 8

Amitriptyline (Tricyclic antidepressant)

Answer 8

Contraindicated in people with cardiac problems. OD can be lifethreatening. Postural hypotension common. Avoid driving or operating
machinery after taking. Monitor for arrhythmias.

Question 9

Gabapentin (Anti-convulsant)

Answer 9

Monitor for dizziness, drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery
after taking. Do not administer with antacids as it decreases bioavailability.

Question 10

Pregabalin (Anti-convulsant)

Answer 10

Used as treatment for Epilepsy and neuropathic pain. Monitor for
dizziness, drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery after taking.

Question 11

Prednisone (Cortico-steroid)

Answer 11

Multiple medication and herbal interactions ** Used for treatment in
inflammatory disorders (Asthma) and neoplastic diseases

Question 12

(Glioblastoma).

Answer 12

Multiple adverse effects. Not recommended for long

term use

Question 13

Other

approaches for pain

Answer 13

• Nerve blocks
• Surgery
• Corticosteroid injections
• Implantable drug delivery systems

Question 14

National Pain Strategy

Key goals of the strategy are:

Answer 14

• People in pain as a national health
priority
• Knowledgeable, empowered and
supported consumers
• Skilled professionals and best practice
evidence based care
• Access to interdisciplinary care at all
levels
• Quality improvement and evaluation
• Research

Question 15

National Pain Strategy

Highlights

Answer 15

• All states have adopted the
recommendations
• Planning and development for
community based services
• ACT identified chronic pain as a separate
condition (attracting funding)
• 14 new regional pain clinics established
• Dedicated paediatric pain clinics
established
• New chronic pain education and training
for health professionals
• More education for people living with
pain (PainHEALTH and painbytes)