Pain management in burn injury

Traumatic bum injuries and the associated treatments are a tremendous pain management challenge. The degree of tissue damage in severe burns can initiate physiologic changes in nociceptive pathways that place the patient at risk for undertreatment. The use of analgesic guidelines that address both background and procedural pain and associated anxiety can provide a rational and consistent approach to treatment. The key to successful treatment is the continuous and accurate assessment of the patient's pain and the response to therapy. Medications, especially opioids, should be regularly evaluated and adjusted to achieve maximum effect and minimal side effect.Nursing's role is perhaps the most important in the essential focused surveillance of bum pain and it's successful treatment.