Pain

Post your response to the following on your Group discussion board.

A 65-year-old woman presents with a 10-year history of osteoarthritis,
primarily affecting her hips and knees and new complaints
of neuropathic pain due to type 2 diabetes that may have been
poorly controlled in the past. She has frequent complaints of joint
pain after walking or other activities and experiences stiffness in
the morning when she awakens or after sitting during bridge games.
Recently, she has had difficulty walking and has had several near
falls. She states that her feet feel heavy, numb, and tingling. The
pain feels like pins and needles. She displays no apparent distress,
but this is common in chronic pain. Because the pain is affecting
her active lifestyle, therapy is indicated to improve functional status.
Options for chronic nonmalignant pain include nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), opioids (preferably long-acting
forms), corticosteroids, and local anesthetics. Because the onset of
neuropathic pain is recent, appropriate therapy with antidepressants,
anticonvulsants, or lidocaine may be appropriate. After initiation
of an individualized regimen, the patient should be assessed for
adequacy of pain relief and the presence of side effects.

Actions:

Summarize the Problem or Concern

Provide a brief Patho discussion on your primary diagnosis/problem/concern

Provide a Pharmacological Plan to treat your patient

Provide patient educational information specific to your pharmacological plan