Continuing Education

Comfort Without a Prescription: Enhancing Patient Care Through Non-Pharmacologic Pain Relief

1.75 contact hours – November 7, 2025 – November 30, 2027

The current opioid epidemic has brought to light the need for patient education using non-pharmacological interventions for pain management. Evidence from literature indicates that some patients developed a dependency on opioids as a result of having been prescribed opioids for pain management after having surgery or traumatic injury. Other patients have resorted to undermanaging their acute pain for fear of developing a dependency on opioids long term which is contributing to other health problems as a result of under management of their pain. This professional development activity will provide strategies for implementing non-pharmacological interventions and address the importance of educating patients about the importance of managing their pain without the risk of developing dependance on opioids. 

Learning Activity Objectives: 

  1. Describe the current challenges and limitations of pharmacologic pain management, including risks associated with opioid use.
  2. Identify at least five evidence-based non-pharmacologic pain management strategies that can be used in clinical nursing practice.
  3. Evaluate the effectiveness of selected non-drug interventions for different types of pain (e.g., acute, chronic, procedural).
  4. Demonstrate how to integrate non-pharmacologic strategies into patient care plans, including education and documentation considerations.
  5. Discuss the nurse’s role as a patient advocate and educator in promoting comfort and reducing reliance on prescription pain medications. 

Successful completion of learning activity:

Participants who view this presentation in its entirety, complete the evaluation form, and pass the post-test with 80% or higher, will receive an electronic certificate via email awarding 1.75 contact hours of continuing education. 
 

The Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Disclaimer

Presentation

POST TEST DIRECTIONS

COST: This CE is FREE for MNA members and $20 for non-members

POST-TEST: Complete the post-test & evaluation response form ONLINE by clicking here.

AWARDING OF CE

  • Participants who achieve a minimum passing score of 80% will receive a certificate awarding 1.0 contact hours.
  • Participants who do not achieve a passing score will have the option to gain success with the material by repeating the material and test at no additional cost.

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