What is the primary goal of pain management?

The primary goal of pain management is to relieve or reduce pain to improve quality of life. This approach recognizes that while the complete elimination of pain may not always be possible, adequately managing pain can significantly enhance a patient's ability to function and participate in daily activities.

Focusing on improving the quality of life means addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of pain. Effective pain management encompasses a variety of strategies, including medications, physical therapy, psychological support, and alternative therapies, all aimed at helping individuals better cope with their pain and enhancing their overall well-being.

The other options present less comprehensive or ethically sound objectives. Striving to eliminate all forms of pain completely is often unrealistic and can lead to undesirable side effects from aggressive treatments. Concentrating solely on chronic pain neglects the importance of acute pain management, which can also be critical in various healthcare scenarios. Lastly, providing treatments for pain without patient consent disregards the ethical principle of autonomy and can severely undermine the trust between healthcare providers and patients.