A client has a swollen, bruised, sprained ankle and states that the current pain level has risen from a 3 to a 5 on a 10 point scale. Which analgesic medication would most likely be prescribed to relieve this pain?

A client has a swollen, bruised, sprained ankle and states that the current pain level has risen from a 3 to a 5 on a 10 point scale. Which analgesic medication would most likely be prescribed to relieve this pain?

• A. Ibuprofen
• B. Acetaminophen
• C. Morphine
• D. Naproxen

Answer: (A)

When a soft-tissue injury like a sprained ankle involves swelling and inflammation, the best first step is a medication that can reduce both pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that works by inhibiting enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which are responsible for both pain and swelling. This dual effect makes it well suited for an acute swollen ankle, addressing the inflammatory component as well as the discomfort. Acetaminophen can relieve pain but doesn’t reduce inflammation, so it’s less effective for swelling in this scenario. Morphine is a strong opioid and far more than what’s needed for mild-to-moderate sprain pain; it’s not appropriate as a first-line choice here. Naproxen is another NSAID and would also help, but ibuprofen is typically preferred for quicker relief in acute injuries and is widely used for this purpose.

When a soft-tissue injury like a sprained ankle involves swelling and inflammation, the best first step is a medication that can reduce both pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that works by inhibiting enzymes that produce prostaglandins, which are responsible for both pain and swelling. This dual effect makes it well suited for an acute swollen ankle, addressing the inflammatory component as well as the discomfort.

Acetaminophen can relieve pain but doesn’t reduce inflammation, so it’s less effective for swelling in this scenario. Morphine is a strong opioid and far more than what’s needed for mild-to-moderate sprain pain; it’s not appropriate as a first-line choice here. Naproxen is another NSAID and would also help, but ibuprofen is typically preferred for quicker relief in acute injuries and is widely used for this purpose.