Strategies for pain management in traumatic thoracic injuries

Tissue damage, such as that caused by traumatic injury, is associated with the sensations and responses characterized initially as acute pain. It is known that unrelieved pain contributes to morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. Is pain contributing to morbidity and mortality in critically injured patients as well? Nurses are in a critical position to assess and manage pain. They must be familiar with the wide variety of available pain management techniques and be prepared to advocate their use.