Preemptive analgesia is defined as:

Preemptive analgesia refers to the administration of pain relief medication before a surgical procedure or tissue injury occurs. The rationale behind this approach is to minimize the pain response and reduce the intensity of postoperative pain. By addressing pain before it begins, the goal is to prevent the establishment of a pain memory and associated heightened sensitivity, leading to better overall pain management and recovery.

In contrast, providing analgesia after tissue injury would likely not prevent the initial pain response or the development of pain pathways, which is why it does not align with the concept of preemptive analgesia. Not providing any analgesia would obviously negate the purpose of pain management entirely, making it irrelevant in this context. Providing analgesia during tissue injury may help manage pain at that moment but does not address the preventive aspect that preemptive analgesia emphasizes. Thus, offering pain relief proactively can significantly enhance patient comfort and outcomes.