Postoperative pain management: morphine versus ketorolac

Abstract

Without proper management, postoperative pain can grow to intolerable levels and interfere with functioning and healing. Historically, morphine had no equal for postoperative pain management. Its side effects, however, are troubling. Recently, researchers have developed many analgesics that do not induce the same side effects as morphine. Ketorolac is one example. Nevertheless, a single drug with an efficacy comparable with morphine remains elusive. In this article, the physiology of pain is reviewed and ketorolac is compared with morphine. Perianesthesia nurses are given pertinent information to enhance their ability to provide the best pain relief available for the patients in their care.