[NRSKarenRN]

Free Medscape.com registration required:


1.5 FREE Nsg CE til 12/ 8/2005:

Chronic Pain: Overcoming Treatment Barriers for Effective Outcomes

Includes:

1. Management of Chronic Pain: Evolution and Revolution
   by Michael J. Brennan, MD
   The Quandary of Chronic Pain
   What Is Meaningful Pain Reduction?
   First Evolutionary Step: Toward a Better Definition of Pain
   Second Evolutionary Step: A Better Understanding of the Physiology of Nociception and Pain Perception
   Third Evolutionary Step: A Better Understanding of Pain and Its Impact on Quality of Life
   Fourth Evolutionary Step: A Better Understanding of Pain Characteristics and Pharmacology
   A Better Understanding of Pain and Its Components
   Therapeutic Options and Management Paradigms
   Balanced Analgesia With Other Therapeutic Options
   Multidisciplinary Programs
   Opioids
   Conclusions
2. Providing Care While Preventing Misuse and Diversion
   by Howard A. Heit, MD, FACP, FASAM
   Barriers to Pain Management
   Defining Addiction and Related Terms
   Pseudoaddiction
   The Mesolimbic Dopamine System and Opioids
   Prescription Drug Misuse
   Chronic Pain vs Addiction
   Preventing Drug Diversion
   Universal Precautions
   Patient Triage
   The CAGE Questionnaire
   Urine Drug Testing
   Overall Goals and Federal Regulations
   Setting Boundaries
3. Post Test & Eval