Word parts
What it means
The absence or easing of pain. Analgesia can come from drugs (analgesican-ul-JEE-zikA drug that relieves pain.an- withoutalges pain-ic relating toFull entry s such as acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugnon-STAIR-oy-dul an-tee-in-FLAM-uh-tor-ee DRUGA drug that relieves pain, fever and inflammation and is not a steroid, such as ibuprofen or naproxen.non- notanti- againstinflamm/o inflammationFull entry s and opioids), from nerve blocks and epidural anesthesiaep-ih-DOOR-ul an-us-THEE-zhuhPain relief or numbness from an anesthetic drug given through a thin catheter into the space just outside the covering of the spinal cord.epi- upon, overdur/o dura (the tough covering of the spinal cord)-al relating toFull entry , or from non-drug methods such as ice, heat, positioning and distraction. It differs from anesthesiaan-us-THEE-zhuhLoss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.an- withoutesthesi/o feeling, sensation-ia conditionFull entry , which takes away all feeling and may also cause unconsciousness.
For the nurse
Assess pain with a pain scale before and after giving any analgesia, and record the effect. With opioid analgesia, watch for sedation and slow breathing.
In a chart
"Adequate analgesia achieved; client rates pain 2/10 one hour after PCA started."
At a glance
| Spanish | analgesia |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
anesthesia
Loss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.
Related terms
opioid analgesic
A strong drug that relieves moderate to severe pain by acting on the brain and spinal cord.
analgesic
A drug that relieves pain.
anesthesia
Loss of feeling or sensation, often brought on by drugs so that surgery or a procedure can be done without pain.
patient-controlled analgesia
A way of giving pain medicine in which the client presses a button to give themselves a set dose from a programmed pump.