Which analgesic is used for moderate to severe pain management?

• A. Acetaminophen
• B. NSAIDs
• C. Wound Care Management
• D. Opioids

Answer: (D)

Moderate to severe pain requires a strong analgesic, and opioids provide potent, reliable relief by binding to mu receptors in the central nervous system to block pain signaling. This makes them the most appropriate option when non-opioid analgesics don’t achieve adequate control. Acetaminophen can help for milder pain and has a relatively safe profile at recommended doses but has a limited analgesic ceiling and risk of liver injury with high use. NSAIDs reduce pain and inflammation but carry risks for older adults, including gastrointestinal, kidney, and cardiovascular issues, making them less suitable for some patients or scenarios. Wound care management addresses the injury itself, not the pharmacologic control of pain. Opioids require careful dosing, monitoring for side effects such as constipation, delirium, sedation, and respiratory depression, and consideration of multimodal strategies to balance efficacy with safety.