Pain is defined as a physical suffering/discomfort caused by illness or injury and is categorized as chronic or acute. Pain-tolerance varies from patient to patient, in fact health care providers may ask patients to describe their pain on a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the worst possible pain).

For your initial post:

1. Investigate and explain the difference between acute and chronic pain
2. Create a patient-scenario that involves pain management. Make sure your scenario addresses the following:
   • Does your patient have acute or chronic pain?
   • Where in the body is your patient experiencing pain?
   • Is their pain due to illness or injury?
   • What level on the pain-scale do they report

Review the posts made by your classmates. Choose at least one patient-scenario and reply with the following:

1. What do you think a provider would recommend as pain management for that patient?
   • Would it be over-the-counter or require a prescription?
   • What would be the recommended adult dosage?
   • Would there be concerns regarding how long the medication could safely be used?
2. Might there be options other than medications which might help with pain?