CNE SERIES. A Decision Tree Model for Postoperative Pain Management.

THERMOTHERAPY; AGING; ANALGESICS; COMBINATION drug therapy; COLD therapy; DECISION trees; DRUG addiction; DRUG monitoring; DRUG tolerance; DOSE-effect relationship in pharmacology; INTRAVENOUS therapy; MASSAGE therapy; NARCOTICS; NURSING practice; NURSING assessment; NURSING specialties; ORAL drug administration; PATIENT-controlled analgesia; PATIENTS; POSTOPERATIVE care; POSTOPERATIVE pain; SLEEP apnea syndromes; SURGERY; DECISION making in clinical medicine; COMORBIDITY; EVIDENCE-based nursing; DRUG abusers; PAIN measurement; CONTINUING education units; RELAXATION techniques; PHARMACODYNAMICS

The article discusses the development of a decision tree model flowchart for postoperative pain management. Topics include the individual factors affecting analgesic use namely co-morbidities and drug tolerance, recommendations for special populations including older adults, individuals with renal disease and individuals with substance use disorders, and nursing implications of the decision tree model.