05-05a: Pain

Question 1

Definition of pain

Answer 1

Unpleasant sensory, perceptual, emotional, mental experience provoked by disease or injury with autonomic, physiological, and behavioral responses

Question 2

Pain is ____ vital sign

Answer 2

• 5th vital sign

- Heart Rate, Blood Pressure, Respiratory Rate, Temperature, PAIN

Question 3

Characteristics of pain

Answer 3

• Type (Burning, tingling, sharp, dull, etc.)
• Location (Where pain is)
• Intensity (How severe is pain)
• Duration (How long does pain last)
• Frequency (How often does pain occur)

Question 4

Acute pain

Answer 4

Pain that lasts less than six weeks

Question 5

Chronic pain

Answer 5

Pain that lasts greater than three months, or persistent pain that lasts beyond the expected healing timeframe

Question 6

Subacute pain

Answer 6

Pain that lasts 6-12 weeks (while tissue is still healing or just shortly after)

Question 7

Questions to ask about pain

Answer 7

• What makes pain worse or better?
• Over last 48 hrs, are sx getting better, worse, staying the same?
• Have you sought tx for this pain before? What kind and when? How did you respond?
• Has pain ever occurred before?

Question 8

Numerical Pain Scale (NPS, NPRS)

Answer 8

• Rating of pain on a scale of 0-10

- 0 = no pain, 10 = unbearable pain

Question 9

Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)

Answer 9

• Level of perceived pain
• 10 cm line, L anchor = no pain, R anchor = unbearable pain
• Measure line from L anchor and record number as score
• Can use facial pictures for children (relate to expressions) or communication impairments

Question 10

Psychometrics (VAS)

Answer 10

• Highly sensitive if small increments used
• Valid if measures taken accurately
• Increase reliability if pt allowed to mark on the scale/line

Question 11

If pt’s rating increases significantly from the last rating, PTA should…

Answer 11

• …stop treatment and consult PT

- Can inquire about pain, what they felt, then consult PT

Question 12

Body diagrams

Answer 12

Pt marks location of pain in diagram of human body

Question 13

McGill Pain Questionnaire

Answer 13

• 70 questions, 4 pts, max score 78
• Establish baseline, monitors progress
• Pt 1: pt marks area and type of pain on body diagram
• Pt 2: pt chooses one word that best describes pain from 20 categories
• Pt 3: pt describes pain pattern, factors that increase/relieve pain
• Pt 4: pt rates the intensity of pain from 0-5

Question 14

Dallas Questionnaire

Answer 14

• Self-report looks at impact of pain on daily life rather than pain itself
• Rate % of pain on different aspects of ADL
• 16 questions

Question 15

Oswestry Disability Index

Answer 15

• Self-report calculates % of disability based on pt’s score in 10 sections