Discussion of available agents has been limited to morphine and hydromorphone. ED physicians choose the agent with which they are most familiar and comfortable. Clinicians who choose to use meperidine should remember that it does provide some euphoria, and also has an active metabolite that may build up. Analgesics - Pain relief should be a high priority. Pain control is essential to quality patient care.
Analgesics ensure patient comfort, promote pulmonary toilet, and have sedating properties.
Initial dose dependent on whether patient already is taking narcotic analgesics. Larger doses required in patients chronically taking narcotic analgesics. ED physician should begin at lowest available dose in newly diagnosed patients. Once refractory to neural blockade, patients probably will suffer life-long pain, which may be severe enough to be debilitating. RSDS sufferers may depend on potent analgesia to control pain.