[tabby title="Analgesia"] Treating Pain in Mechanically Ventilated Patients Adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) frequently experience pain, resulting from acute and chronic illness as well the positioning and interventions standard to ICU care.1,2 Besides being ethical and humane, adequately treating pain prevents agitation and delirium in mechanically ventilated patients. There are also many physiologic responses to acute pain that can impact patient care in the ICU, including tachycardia, hypertension, increased work of breathing, increased cortisol release, and increased risk of infection.3 The incidence of pain is thought to be 50% or greater in ICU patients, and the inability to communicate due to mechanical ventilation dose not negate the possibility that the patient is experiencing pain.1