Which of the following is a non-pharmacological comfort measure?

• A. Distraction
• B. Oral analgesics
• C. IV opioids
• D. Topical anesthetic cream

Answer: (A)

Non-pharmacological comfort measures are ways to ease pain or discomfort without using medications. Distraction helps by shifting the patient’s attention away from the pain, engaging the brain in other tasks or conversations, which lowers the perceived intensity of pain and can reduce anxiety. In contrast, oral analgesics and IV opioids provide chemical pain relief, and topical anesthetic cream numbs the area—these are pharmacologic approaches. So, distraction is the non-pharmacological option.