Final answer:
An analgesic is the type of drug that suppresses pain without causing unconsciousness, useful for pain management while keeping the patient awake.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of drug that suppresses pain without inducing unconsciousness is known as an analgesic. Analgesics like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and aspirin are used to alleviate pain but do not cause the patient to lose consciousness. Unlike narcotics, which can also alleviate pain but may lead to drowsiness or unconsciousness at higher doses, analgesics are specifically chosen for pain management when it's important for the patient to remain fully awake and alert. Other drug types such as tranquilizers, hypnotics, and vasopressors have different effects, with tranquilizers mainly used to reduce anxiety and tension, hypnotics to induce sleep, and vasopressors to elevate blood pressure.