Which statement about delirium treatment and pain is supported by best practices?

Which statement about delirium treatment and pain is supported by best practices?

• A. Antipsychotics are the first-line treatment for pain.
• B. Analgesia should be avoided in delirium.
• C. Acetaminophen is preferred over antipsychotics for pain management.
• D. Pain management has no impact on delirium.

Answer: (C)

Pain management is a key part of delirium care because untreated pain can worsen confusion and agitation, while appropriate analgesia can help reduce delirium severity and duration. The best practice is to use safe analgesics first, with acetaminophen as the preferred option for mild to moderate pain in older adults, since it provides reliable relief with a lower delirium risk compared to many other analgesics. Antipsychotics are not used to treat pain themselves; they are reserved for delirium-related agitation or hallucinations when nonpharmacologic approaches and analgesia don’t control symptoms, and they carry important side effects. Therefore, saying that acetaminophen is preferred for pain management reflects current guidance, whereas avoiding analgesia or treating pain with antipsychotics instead of proper analgesia would not align with best practices.

Pain management is a key part of delirium care because untreated pain can worsen confusion and agitation, while appropriate analgesia can help reduce delirium severity and duration. The best practice is to use safe analgesics first, with acetaminophen as the preferred option for mild to moderate pain in older adults, since it provides reliable relief with a lower delirium risk compared to many other analgesics. Antipsychotics are not used to treat pain themselves; they are reserved for delirium-related agitation or hallucinations when nonpharmacologic approaches and analgesia don’t control symptoms, and they carry important side effects. Therefore, saying that acetaminophen is preferred for pain management reflects current guidance, whereas avoiding analgesia or treating pain with antipsychotics instead of proper analgesia would not align with best practices.