Why is adequate pain management critical in older adults, and what risk arises from undertreated pain?

• A. Pain should be ignored to avoid medication side effects.
• B. Pain limits activity and sleep, increasing falls and functional decline; undertreatment increases risk of falls and depression.
• C. Pain has no impact on function.
• D. Undertreatment pain reduces risk of falls.

Answer: (B)

Adequate pain management in older adults is essential because pain directly limits activity, sleep, and participation in daily tasks. When pain isn’t well controlled, activity wanes, strength and balance decline, and older adults become deconditioned, which raises the risk of falls. Pain also disrupts sleep, leading to daytime fatigue and reduced function, and it can contribute to depressive symptoms or social withdrawal. The statement that pain limits activity and sleep and that undertreatment increases falls and depression best captures how unmanaged pain worsens overall function and safety in later life.

Ignore the idea of not treating pain to avoid side effects—that approach can leave pain unmanaged and worsen outcomes. Pain does affect function, so the claim that it has no impact is not correct. And undertreating pain does not reduce fall risk; it increases it, not only through impaired mobility but also through poorer sleep and mood.