This clinically oriented book provides quick access to needed pain management guidelines presented in a clear, systematic format. The book assists practitioners in assessing pain in a variety of patient populations, as well as selecting patient-appropriate medications and interventions to achieve optimal pain management for adult patients. The book focuses on treatment options for patients with chronic persistent pain, or pain that lasts beyond the normal healing time period of 3 to 6 months. Crucial information on managing the pain of chronic pain conditions is included, such as rheumatoid arthritis as well as difficult to treat conditions such as fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain. The text is designed to guide the practitioner in the selection of medication management options as well as considering other types of treatment options such as acupuncture, energy therapies, psychological, and coping strategies. The book also presents essential information on safe prescribing and screening tools such as the Opioid Risk Tool (ORT) and screening tools for aberrant behaviors. It offers the newest guidelines on how to use a combination of pain screening tools to accurately assess the nature, intensity, and occurrence of patient pain.
