The use of "as-needed" range orders for opioid analgesics in the management of acute pain: a consensus statement of the American Society for Pain Management Nursing and the American Pain Society

Pain Manag Nurs. 2004 Jun;5(2):53-8. doi: 10.1016/j.pmn.2004.04.001.

Abstract

The use of "as needed" or "PRN" range orders for opioid analgesics in the management of acute pain is a common clinical practice. This approach provides flexibility in dosing to meet individual patients' unique analgesic requirements. Range orders enable necessary and safe dose adjustments based on an individual's response to treatment. The purpose of this paper is to present the consensus statement of the American Society for Pain Management Nursing and the American Pain Society on the use of "as-needed" range orders for opioid analgesics in the management of acute pain. The implementation of this statement should promote quality pain management through safe medication practices and the appropriate use of range orders for opioid analgesics in acute pain management.

Publication types

  • Consensus Development Conference
  • Guideline
  • Practice Guideline
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Protocols / standards
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Monitoring / nursing
  • Drug Monitoring / standards
  • Humans
  • Nurse's Role
  • Nursing Assessment / standards
  • Pain / diagnosis
  • Pain / drug therapy*
  • Pain / nursing
  • Pain Measurement / nursing
  • Pain Measurement / standards

Substances

  • Analgesics, Opioid