Pain Management Strategies in Emergency Care: Paramedic vs. Nurse Approaches

Abstract

Paramedics and nurses operate in a range of emergency care settings in which relieving pain and treating shock serve as the primary therapeutic aims. Both groups undertake comprehensive assessments to identify underlying causes and then administer appropriate interventions. Paramedics use cognitive behavioural techniques, such as distraction and imagery, to reduce pain perception and frequently apply physical approaches—immobilization, splinting, and therapeutic cold—when managing musculoskeletal injuries. Unless restricted by complex regional analgesia protocols, they administer both opioid analgesics—fentanyl and morphine—and non-opioids—paracetamol and NSAIDs—with dosages guided by physiological variables. Nurses, similarly, combine physical, cognitive, and pharmacological interventions—both opioids and non-opioids—to alleviate acute pain. Although many paramedics adopt oral, rectal, and inhalation routes, intravenous administration remains the preferred method. Both disciplines utilize numerical rating scales and categorical measurements to quantify pain; however, qualitative tools and age-specific charts are less prevalent among paramedics, who often rely on non-verbal manifestations, physiological signs, and clinical judgment (Koral & Szyller, 2022). Effective communication and clinical protocols facilitate interprofessional collaboration in optimizing patient comfort. Emergency nurses in prehospital environments share the responsibility of providing analgesia tailored to the individual’s circumstances (Iqbal et al., 2013).