This article reviews various pharmacologic approaches for pain management, highlighting traditional and emerging therapies. Opioids, while effective, pose significant risks such as tolerance and addiction, prompting the adoption of multimodal analgesia. Topical anesthetics, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and steroids offer alternative or adjunctive pain control. Antiepileptics and antidepressants are particularly useful for neuropathic pain, while muscle relaxants address musculoskeletal conditions. Understanding the pharmacologic properties, therapeutic applications, and safety profiles of these agents is essential for optimizing individualized pain management. Ongoing research focuses on enhancing efficacy, reducing adverse effects, and identifying new agents that can address the complexities of chronic pain.

Chronic pain is a disease that affects millions of individuals in the United States and a leading cause of disability for many. First-line treatment modalities for patients with chronic pain include conservative measures; however, when these measures are ineffective in relieving pain, interventional techniques can be utilized to diagnose and treat chronic pain conditions. The aim of this comprehensive overview of interventional techniques for chronic pain management is to provide a valuable resource for nurses involved in caring for patients who have undergone an interventional technique for chronic pain.

Chronic pain is a particularly difficult problem to diagnose and treat. The typical definition of chronic pain is straightforward, but the actual identification of the underlying problem and treatment of that problem can be very pervasive and complex. Historically, conventional approaches to treatment have been one dimensional. Pharmaceutical treatments, interventional therapies, or a combination of both have been the most common approaches by those practicing allopathic medicine. However, studies in recent years have demonstrated that a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach to chronic pain management is far superior.

This article explores the psychological aspects of chronic pain, focusing on how cognitive and emotional factors influence pain perception and management. Chronic pain often leads to central sensitization, where the nervous system becomes more sensitive to pain, amplifying discomfort. Cognitive behavioral therapy and psychotherapeutic interventions can help patients to reframe their pain experiences and improve their coping strategies. Fear of pain and avoidance behaviors contribute to physical deconditioning and disability. Additionally, cultural beliefs and social environments shape individual pain experiences. A biopsychosocial approach that integrates psychological and physiologic care is essential for effective pain management and improving patient outcomes.

Multimodal strategies for pain management often include alternative modalities that exert more than just a placebo effect. These approaches like acupuncture, homeopathy, healing touch, and biofeedback may be used to augment or even replace traditional medications. The evidence for these techniques is emerging with continued study. These modalities offer the benefit of avoiding side effects from prescribed medications such as opioids. Most alternative modalities focus on allowing the body or the brain to heal itself. Nurses have a key role in developing a holistic plan of care and coaching their patients, connecting them with alternative modalities to achieve better health.

Pain in children involves complex neurophysiological processes, beginning with peripheral nerve activation and culminating in the cerebral cortex. Immature inhibitory mechanisms at birth heighten sensitivity to pain. Effective assessment and management of pain are critical, with strategies tailored to developmental stages, from neonates to adolescents. Opioids are cautiously used due to risks of side effects and addiction, while nonopioid analgesics like acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are preferred for mild-to-moderate pain. Nonpharmacologic interventions-such as physical, behavioral, and cognitive approaches-can complement medical treatment and reduce reliance on medications, with methods customized to the child's age and developmental needs.

The management of noncancer pain remains a significant global challenge, with profound physical, emotional, and societal impacts. Pain management is critical for both acute and chronic conditions to improve patients' quality of life. Interventions range from pharmacologic solutions, such as opioids, to nonpharmacological approaches, including physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Importantly, health disparities significantly affect pain management, with certain population groups facing unequal access to adequate care, treatment, and outcomes. These disparities in pain management highlight the urgent need for equitable health care solutions that address the needs of all patients, regardless of their socioeconomic background or demographic characteristics.

For a nurse, assisting patients with chronic pain includes focusing on their physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being, and there may lie the antidote for chronic pain. All aspects of holistic well-being intertwine intimately, affecting every area of the body, soul, and mind, as patients with chronic pain report a lower quality of life. Focusing on basic interventions that improve the patient's overall well-being can reduce the need for opioids, and thus reduce the patient's risk of becoming one of the over 6 million people with opioid use disorder.

This article examines the intricate physiology of pain, highlighting its role as a protective mechanism while discussing its subjective and multifaceted nature. It traces the historic evolution of pain understanding, emphasizing advancements that have shaped current pain management strategies. The article categorizes pain into nociceptive, neuropathic, and functional types, exploring the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying each. It further differentiates between acute and chronic pain, focusing on the importance of accurate assessment and tailored treatment. By understanding the complex processes involved in pain, health care professionals can improve pain management strategies, leading to better patient care and enhanced quality of life.

Pain is a universal human experience, yet is uniquely subjective, complex, and multifactorial. As the perception of pain is influenced by psychological, emotional, and cultural factors, it is imperative that health care providers utilize both subjective and objective assessment tools while also considering the psychological, cultural, and emotional factors that influence a patient's experience with pain. A wide array of tools is available to help guide providers to most accurately assess a patient's pain and understand the key influencing factors.

Neutropenic fever is a medical emergency that requires prompt evaluation. Neutropenic fever is defined as a single oral temperature ≥ 38.3⁰C (101.0⁰F) or a sustained temperature ≥ 38.0⁰C (101.0⁰F) for 1 hour and an absolute neutrophil count of less than 0.5 × 10⁹/L. The management of these patients includes initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotic within 1 hour of presentation. Lab work and blood cultures should be obtained prior to starting antibiotics and patients should be assessed for risk of serious complications of febrile neutropenia utilizing the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer or Clinical Index of Stable Febrile Neutropenia scoring system.

Incidence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) has increased after the pandemic leading to worsening health outcomes, especially in vulnerable populations including elderly patients. Simple practices such as effective handwashing can help mitigate HAI incidence. Hospitals and health care workers must do more to minimize the risks of HAIs.

Hepatitis C is a chronic, life-threatening liver disease on the rise in the United States primarily among young adults. Despite the availability of highly effective, well-tolerated, and easy to use treatments, roughly half of those living with HCV remain undiagnosed and less than one-third of those diagnosed receive timely treatment. There are multiple patient, provider, and systemic barriers to care requiring a well-funded, multi-pronged approach to overcome obstacles along the HCV care continuum to advance elimination goals.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains an ongoing threat. TB requires exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but disease development is driven by exposure, infectiousness, susceptibility, and environment. TB elimination requires increased awareness about TB prevention and treatment strategies. The centers of TB excellence complement current guidelines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the National TB Coalition of America, and the Infectious Disease Society of America to support nurses and providers. Enhanced contact investigation, prevention, and treatment will aid in the pathway to a TB-free North America. To address disparities in TB, nurses in practice, research, and policy settings must address individual, interpersonal, and organizational barriers to care and ongoing treatment adherence.

Cases of syphilis in the United States are at an all-time high. Although men who have sex with men continue to be adversely affected, record rates of infection are now seen in women, men who have sex with women, and in congenital cases. Persons of color and ethnic minorities are among communities affected. Review of sexual practices and risk factors such as substance use are key to identifying infections early to stop spread of the disease. Educating nurses on how to identify those at risk, order and interpret testing, effectively treat, and follow these patients is vital to stopping the epidemic.

Gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, remains the second most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States, with approximately 1.57 million new infections annually. The growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in N gonorrhoeae has led to critical screening and treatment guidelines advancements. This study provides a comprehensive review of gonorrhea's epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations. The study also highlights the role of expedited partner therapy and the need for enhanced patient education to prevent reinfection. The discussion emphasizes the importance of ongoing surveillance, updated clinical practices, and health education to combat the rising rates of gonorrhea and the spread of AMR.

Prostatitis remains one of the number one reasons for primary and urologic care visits annually for men across the lifespan. Most cases of acute bacterial prostatitis are attributed to Escherichia coli with a smaller number of cases being attributed to sexually transmitted infections and are easily treatable in the outpatient setting. However, cases of chronic prostatitis often require a team-based approach-to-care and both pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions. New and investigative treatments are currently being studied for their role in the treatment and management of chronic prostatitis, but additional studies are needed to determine their efficacy.