Impact

• What can unrelieved pain in acutely ill patients lead to?

  Increased morbidity
• What respiratory issue can result from unrelieved pain?

  Respiratory dysfunction
• How does unrelieved pain affect heart rate?

  It increases heart rate and cardiac workload
• What muscular effect can unrelieved pain cause?

  Increased muscular contraction and spasm
• What gastrointestinal effect can unrelieved pain lead to?

  Decreased gastrointestinal (GI) motility
• What metabolic change can occur due to unrelieved pain?

  Increased catabolism
• How often should pain be assessed in clinical care settings?

  At least once per day
• What can happen to acute pain if left untreated?

  It can progress to persistent pain
• How does untreated acute pain affect the body systems?

  It can impact all body systems