Pain

Principles

Pain is commonly observed in the terminal phase of a palliative illness when it is usually expressed as agitation.

For support with switching between opioids, refer to Opioids: Switching Between Formulations.

Prescribing Guidance

palliAGEDgp smartphone application (available as an app or as online content)

• When your patient is dying (pain)

Tasmanian Adult Palliative Care Formulary

• Fentanyl - Injection
• Hydromorphone hydrochloride
• Morphine hydrochloride
• Morphine sulfate
• Morphine tartrate
• Oxycodone hydrochloride

Therapeutic Guidelines: Palliative Care (subscription required)

• Last days of life: pain management (V4, page 372)

Useful information

Therapeutic Guidelines: Palliative Care (subscription required)

• Opioids used in palliative care - (V4, page 226)
• Last days of life: pain management (V4, page 372)

Carers may find the information in this leaflet useful: Learn more about pain and pain management by Palliative Care Australia.

Remember

• Always be aware that if a person stiffens and resists, vocalises, or grimaces during routine nursing care, this may be a sign that they are experiencing pain.
• It is vital for breakthrough analgesia to be given when the source of restlessness is identified as pain.
• Look out for non-verbal signs of pain and explain to family and carers before responding with a breakthrough dose.

Page last updated 21 February 2019