2800 Exam Two Flashcards
What are some consequences of untreated pain?
Increased ACH, cortisol, ADH, and epinephrine
Decreased insulin resistance
Increased heart rate, cardiac output, coagulation
Hypoxemia and decreased tidal volume
Decreased urine output and GI motility
Decreased immunity
What are the five dimensions of pain?
Physiologic Affective Cognitive Behavioral Sociocultural
What is included in the physiologic dimension of pain?
Emotional responses to pain, like anxiety, depression, or frustration
Cognitive dimension of pain
Beliefs, attitudes, meanings, and thoughts attached to pain
Behavioral dimension of pain
Observable actions taken to express or control pain
Sociocultural dimension of pain
One’s culture impacts how one expresses and thinks about pain
What is nociceptive pain?
Pain at nocioceptor nerves caused by damage to somatic or visceral tissue
What are the two types of somatic pain?
Deep and superficial
What is somatic pain?
Pain originating from the skin, mucous membranes, subcutaneous tissues, muscles, bones, or tendons
What is visceral pain?
Pain from visceral organs
What are some common causes of visceral pain?
Swelling or ischemia of internal organs
What is neuropathic pain?
Pain from damage to peripheral nerves or CNS structures
How would a patient likely describe neuropathic pain?
Burning, shooting, or shock-like
Acute pain
Sudden onset
Usually lasts less than 3 months
Usually resolvable with care geared towards recovery
Precipitating event can usually be identidad
Chronic pain
Gradual or sudden onset Cause may not be known Pain increases and decreases Goal is pain control to maximize function Behavioral manifestations likely
What is sciatica?
Pain following the course of the sciatic nerve
What is the most consistent pain indicator in infants?
Facial expressions
What are some other ways pediatric clients will express their pain?
Crying Pain facial expressions Localized body response/withdrawal Thrashing Restlessness Muscle rigidity
When should pain be reassessed? What are some dependent factors?
Frequently, especially after meds are given to gauge effectiveness. Assessment also depends on severity, the patient’s condition, the interventions taken, the risk of side effects, and institutional policy
Who might the nurse collaborate with to manage a patient’s pain?
Anesthesiologist Nurse practitioner/doctor Pharmacist Psychologist PT/OT Pain specialist
Planning for pain management should always include…
Patient goals
What is a multimodal approach to analgesic therapy?
Use of two or more classes of analgesics to take advantage of various mechanisms of action or to minimize the amount of narcotic medications needed
What are some barriers to effective pain management that could affect a patient?
Fear of addiction/tolerance
Desire to be stoic
Side effects
Inadequate assessment by the nurse
What is an important question to ask when assessing chronic pain?
How is the pain impacting patient functionality in day to day life?
What are some ethical issues that arise from pain management?
Fear of hastening death by increasing doses of analgesics for terminally ill patients
Assisted suicide requests
Giving placebos
Mismanagement of geriatric pain
Rule of double effect
If an unwanted consequence occurs as a result of an action taken to achieve moral good, the action is justified
What is the rule of double effect commonly applied to?
Giving increasing doses of pain medications to dying patients with the goal of relieving pain
What are some barriers to adequate gerontologic pain management?
Older adults believing pain is inevitable/normal
Use of different descriptive language for pain
Less ability to report pain
Not being believed in their reports of pain
What are some things that could hinder clients from reporting pain?
Hearing/vision deficits Dementia Delirium Poststroke aphasia Communication barriers
What is a primary headache? What are the types?
A headache not caused by disease
Tension, migraine, and cluster headaches
What is a secondary headache? What could be some causative factors?
A headache caused by another condition or disorder, such as a brain tumor, injury, or sinus infection
Tension headache
A stress headache, the most common and least severe form of headache
What are clinical manifestations of a tension headache?
Bilateral pain with a pressing or tightening quality
Mild to moderate pain
Lasts for minutes to days
Possible photophobia or photophobia
Photophobia
Light sensitivity
Phonophobia
Sensitivity to sound
What are premonitory symptoms?
Warning symptoms of an impending headache
Migraine headache
Recurrent headache characterized by unilateral throbbing
Clinical manifestations of a migraine headache?
Aura/premonitory symptoms
Steady, pulsing pain that is usually unilateral
Lasts for 4-72 hours
What is an aura?
A premonitory symptom of a migraine, with visual disturbances or experiencing sensory or motor phenomenon
What are cluster headaches?
Most severe form of primary headaches. Repeated headaches that occur in clusters, generally at the same time of day
Cluster headache: clinical manifestations
Intense pain lasting for minutes to 3 hours Sharp, stabbing pain located around the eye that can radiate Swelling Tearing Facial flushing Nasal congestion Agitation Possible aura Can occur up to 8 times per day
What are some Interprofessional cares for headaches?
Drug therapy Meditation Biofeedback Cognitive/behavioral therapy Relaxation training
What are goals for headache management?
Reduced/eliminated pain
Understanding of triggers and treatments
Using positive coping strategies
Increased quality of life with decreased disability
What are some patient and caregiver teachings for patients with headaches?
Keep headache log Avoid triggers Learn purpose and side effects of drugs Exercise Stress management Med adherence Diet education
What is systemic lupus erythematosus?
Multisystem autoimmune inflammatory disease mainly affecting skin, joints, serous membranes, plus renal, hematologists, and neurological systems
Is there a characteristic disease progression for lupus?
No, it progresses and manifests differently for each patient
Dermatological findings with lupus
Butterfly rash over cheeks and bridge of nose Vascular skin lesions Photosensitive skin reactions Raynaud’s phenomenon Oral/nasopharyngeal ulcers
Musculoskeletal findings with lupus
Arthritis (95% of patients)
Joint pain
Swelling
Bone loss
Cardiopulmonary findings with lupus
Lung disease Pleurisy Dysrhythmias Pericarditis Coagulation disorder (antiphospholipid syndrome)
Renal findings with lupus
Kidney damage (75% of patients)
Nervous system findings with lupus
Seizures
Cognitive dysfunction (disorientation and memory deficits)
Psychosis
Higher stroke risk
Hematologic findings with lupus
Anemia
Leukopenia
Thrombocytopenia
Coagulation disorders
What are some drug therapies used to treat lupus?
NSAIDs Antimalarials Immunosuppressants **limited corticosteroids ** Biologic response modifiers
What are some common comorbidities with lupus?
Depression
Anxiety
Sjögren’s syndrome
Kidney failure
What are major teaching points for patients with lupus?
Disease process Drug treatment information Pain management Energy conservation Stress avoidance Relaxation therapy Counseling services Community resources Avoid sun exposure Self-esteem maintenance
Fibromyalgia
Chronic central pain syndrome marked by widespread, non-articular musculoskeletal pain and fatigue with pain at specific tender points
Assessment findings with fibromyalgia
Widespread burning pain that worsens and improves
Pain with a location that is hard to pinpoint
Head or face pain
Migraines
Memory lapses
Concentration problems
Pain and tender points
Complications of fibromyalgia
IBS Swallowing problems Sleep problems Urinary frequency/difficulty Painful menstruation with possible flare ups Sleep problems
Why is fibromyalgia so difficult to diagnose?
Lack of knowledge about disease and manifestations
Need to rule out many other disorders
No diagnostic test for it
Manifestations unique to each person
Treatment for fibromyalgia
Drug therapy (often anti seizure meds, SSRI’s, pain management drugs)
Stretching
Hot and cold therapy
Vitamin/mineral supplements
What nursing interventions might help with fibromyalgia?
Education
Distraction
Listening
Hot/cold application
What are holistic therapies for pain relief?
Relaxation Biofeedback Heat/cold Massage Yoga Tai chi Distraction/meditation
Diet suggestions for fibromyalgia
Limit sugar, alcohol, and caffeine
Eat balanced, healthy diet
Chronic insomnia definition
Difficulty falling asleep or remaining asleep for at least 3 night a week for 3 months or longer, with daytime complaints of interrupted function
Who is most likely to suffer from insomnia?
Women
Those divorced, widowed, or separated
Low SES or education level
What are some factors that contribute to poor sleep hygiene?
Irregular sleep/wake schedules Drinking close to bedtime Smoking Medications Stress Psychiatric or medical conditions Jet lag Nightmares/PTSD Exercise close to bedtime Napping Genetics
What are clinical manifestations of chronic insomnia?
Difficulty falling asleep Frequent awakening Problems staying asleep Non-restorative sleep Forgetfulness Confusion Grumpiness
What are some nursing diagnoses for sleep disorders?
Insomnia
Sleep deprivation
Disturbed sleep pattern
Readiness for enhanced sleep
What are some nursing interventions to help with insomnia?
Educate about sleep hygiene
Teach relaxation techniques
Education about sleep medications
What are important teachings related to chronic insomnia?
Don’t go to bed unless tired Regular sleep schedule Sleep rituals Quit drinking alcohol 4-6 hours before bed Cool, dark, quiet environment
Systematic exertion intolerance disease (SEID)
Formerly chronic fatigue syndrome
Multisystem disease in which any form of exertion can adversely affect multiple organs/systems
Who is most likely to suffer from SEID?
Women
What are assessment findings in SEID?
6+ months of profound fatigue Postexertional malaise Un refreshing sleep Brain fog Orthostatic intolerance
Disease progression of SEID?
Does not progress, many often recover or gradually improve
What are complications of SEID?
Anger Pain Frustration Inability to do ADLs Loss of livelihood Depression Brain fog
What are some common comorbidities with SEID?
Fibromyalgia
RA
Depression
Why is SEID so difficult to diagnose?
No diagnostic test, so must be diagnosed by elimination. Also shares many symptoms with fibromyalgia
How is SEID treated?
No definitive treatment, but NSAIDS, antihistamines, antidepressants, and SSRIs can be used to manage symptoms
Balanced diet and a carefully graduated exercise program are recommended
What nursing interventions might help with SEID?
Education
Listening/saying you believe them
Connect them to resources
Discourage total bed rest
Define anemia
Deficiency in number of RBCs, quantity/quality of hemoglobin, or volume of packed red blood cells (hematocrit)
What are some causes of chronic anemia?
Iron deficiency Blood loss from trauma Inherited anemia Medications Folic acid or B12 deficiency Radiation Decreased RBC production Increased RBC destruction
What are some causes of decreased red blood cell production?
Decreased hemoglobin synthesis
Defective DNA synthesis
Decreased erythropoietin or iron
Decreased number of RBC production precursors
What are some chronic causes of blood loss?
Gastritis
Menstrual flow
Hemorrhoids
What are some conditions that contribute to increased RBC destruction?
Sickle cell disease Enzyme deficiency Membrane abnormalities Trauma Incompatible blood transfusions
What are common assessment findings/manifestations/complications of anemia?
Palpitations Dyspnea Mild fatigue Pallor/jaundice Increased HR Systolic murmurs/bruits Angina/MI HF
Normal hemoglobin levels
Women: 12-16 g/dL
Men: 14-18 g/dL
Normal hematocrit level?
Women: 37-48%
Men: 45-52%
What is a good rule of thumb for determining hct?
Generally three times the hemoglobin amount
What are manifestations of mild anemia?
Palpitations
Exertional dyspnea
Mild fatigue
Manifestations of moderate anemia?
Palpitations Bounding pulse Dyspnea Fatigue Roaring in ears
Manifestations of severe anemia
Pallor Jaundice Blurred vision Tachycardia Angina HF Headache Vertigo Irritability Anorexia Weight loss Lethargy
Why is jaundice present in anemia?
Hemolysis of RBCs leading to increased concentration of serum bilirubin
What are potential nursing diagnoses related to anemia?
Fatigue
Imbalanced nutrition
Anxiety