ABSTRACT
Pain is defined as an “unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage” (1). It is a complex phenomenon that combines strong emotional responses with ensuing physiological and psychological changes. Trauma patients often experience severe, and at times, poorly controlled pain (2). The administration of analgesics and sedatives is sometimes delayed or altogether avoided because of the concern that these drugs may produce hypotension, respiratory depression, or altered mental alertness (which could mask important diagnostic symptoms). Without compromising cardiopulmonary status, judicious use of analgesics and sedatives can relieve pain, provide a state of emotional calm, and facilitate the diagnostic evaluation of trauma patients.
