Which class of drugs is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for pain relief?

Which class of drugs is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for pain relief?

• A. Acetaminophen
• B. Wound Care Management
• C. NSAIDs
• D. Opioids

Answer: (C)

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a group of medications that relieve pain by dampening inflammation. They work by inhibiting enzymes called cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), which reduces the production of prostaglandins that drive inflammation, swelling, and pain. Because of this mechanism, NSAIDs are especially useful for musculoskeletal pain where inflammation is present, such as osteoarthritis or tendinitis, and they also have fever-reducing and mild analgesic effects. In older adults, using NSAIDs requires caution due to potential side effects. They can irritate the stomach lining and interact with other medications, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney impairment, and high blood pressure or fluid retention. Because of these risks, clinicians often aim for the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, and may prefer acetaminophen for baseline pain in some older patients or use NSAIDs with appropriate monitoring and protective strategies when inflammation is a major component of pain. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and selective COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are a group of medications that relieve pain by dampening inflammation. They work by inhibiting enzymes called cyclooxygenases (COX-1 and COX-2), which reduces the production of prostaglandins that drive inflammation, swelling, and pain. Because of this mechanism, NSAIDs are especially useful for musculoskeletal pain where inflammation is present, such as osteoarthritis or tendinitis, and they also have fever-reducing and mild analgesic effects.

In older adults, using NSAIDs requires caution due to potential side effects. They can irritate the stomach lining and interact with other medications, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney impairment, and high blood pressure or fluid retention. Because of these risks, clinicians often aim for the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration, and may prefer acetaminophen for baseline pain in some older patients or use NSAIDs with appropriate monitoring and protective strategies when inflammation is a major component of pain. Examples of NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, and selective COX-2 inhibitors like celecoxib.