35 Flashcards
why might a person be experiencing pain?
pain alerts humans when there is an injury or an illness
what does a person with pain want
pain relief
what should nurses focus on when it comes to pain
- understanding pain is real
- involved in patient’s pain experience
- develop effective pain management plans
what is the gate-control theory?
dorsal horn can only attend to a limited amount of information, so using another stimulus distracts neurons from pain
transduction
nociceptors activated
transmission
pain messages go to spinal cord
pain perception
recognizing and defining pain in cortex
pain modulation
changing pain perception
how do older adults experience pain?
believe it is normal and they should not speak up about it
what factors influence pain
- past experience
- emotions
- developmental stage
- sociocultural factors
- communication skills
- cognitive impairments
- other illnesses contributing to pain
what are the 5 classifications of pain by origin
- superficial
- visceral: ab, cranium, thorax; feeling of tightness deep
- somatic: ligaments, tendons, bones, vessels, feels achy and tender
- radiating/referred: heart attack, heartburn, locating in one area but radiates to others
- phantom: pain from amputation
2 classificaitons by cause
- nociceotive
2. neuropathic
4 classifications of pain by duration
- acute
- chronic
- breakthrough
- intractable
what falls under nociceptive pain
- somatic: bones, joints, connective tissues, muscles
- visceral: organs, heart, liver, pancreas, gut
what are the characteristics of acute pain
- short-lasting
- rapid onset
- up to 3 mo
- assoc w physical injury
- can indicate tissue damage
what are the characteristics of chronic pain?
- 3 mo or longer
- interferes w daily activities
- may lead to depression, anger, sleep disturbance, frustration
how does the SNS respond
overproduces hormones –> ACTH, cortisol, ADH, insulin, glucagon, etc
how does CVS respond
increased cardiac workload and O2 demand
how is the respiratory system affected
increased rate to meet O2 demands
how does the musculatory system respond to pain
muscle spasm, tension, fatigue
how does the GU respond to pain
activation of the renin-angiotensin system
how does the Gi respond to pain
slow gastric emptying, increased secretions, metabolism slowed
what are the 2 types of pharmacologic management of pain
- non-opiod analgesics
- opiod analgesics
non-opioid analgesics
Tylenol, NSAIDs, TOPICAL ANESTHETICS
opioid analgesics
IV, transdermal, submucosal, epidural forms, short-acting, and extended-release, client-controlled analgesia pumps
what are adjuvant medications?
antidepressants, anticonvulsants, steroids, local anesthetics
what are nonpharmacologic measures
- TENS: electrodes on nerves or painful areas that stimulate A fibers to reduce pain
- PENS: needles into skin that stimulate nerves directly
- acupuncture
- acupressure
- hot and cold
what are things patients can do
- immobilization and rest
- basic comfort measures
- massage
- cognitive-behavioral interventions
- chemical pain relief: nerve blocks, epidural injection, local anesthesia, topical anesthesia
what is addiction
impaired control over drug use, compulsive use, continued use despite harm, craving
what is dependence
withdrawal symptoms that occur when drug use stops
what is drug tolerance?
patient who receives a drug over extended period of time becomes used to it
