Assessment of Pain (Test 1) Flashcards
What is the primary goal of a comprehensive pain interview?
To build trust, gather information, facilitate change, and understand the patient’s perspective.
What does the OPQRSTU mnemonic stand for?
- O: Onset
- P: Provocative/Palliative
- Q: Quality/Character
- R: Region/Radiation
- S: Severity
- T: Timing/Treatment
- U: You/Impact
What are some red flags to rule out during a pain assessment?
- Bowel/bladder dysfunction
- Saddle anesthesia
- Bilateral leg weakness
- Severe, sudden onset headache
- Fever, weight loss, night sweats
- Recent injury
- History of cancer
True or False: Most patients with chronic pain come with a positive medical history and expect to be ‘fixed’.
False
What is countertransference in the context of interviewing chronic pain patients?
An emotional response from the clinician that can provide insight into the patient’s situation and motivations.
What components are included in a clinical exam for musculoskeletal pain?
- Inspection and General Appearance
- Mental Status
- Vital Signs
- Posture and Gait
- Palpation
- Range of Motion (active and passive)
- Neurological Examination
- Special Tests
What is the significance of performing routine imaging in patients without red flags?
It reinforces sick behavior and worsens long-term outcomes.
When should advanced diagnostic imaging like CT or MRI be considered?
When referring for interventional or surgical procedures, or if red flag signs and a physical exam suggest a Red Flag condition.
Fill in the blank: A diagnosis of ‘chronic pain’ is simply not enough; it is important to establish a specific pain _______.
patho-anatomic diagnosis
What are the two key assessment tools for diagnosing fibromyalgia?
- Widespread Pain Index (WPI)
- Symptom Severity (SS) Score
What screening tool can be used to assess the risk of obstructive sleep apnea?
STOP-BANG screening tool
What is the primary purpose of the 4 (+2) A’s assessment during patient visits?
To assess the effectiveness of treatment.
What is the definition of acute neck pain?
Pain that is present for less than 3 months.
What is the prognosis for acute neck pain without trauma or red flags?
Favorable; 80% can expect to recover rapidly.
What are the characteristics of chronic neck pain?
Pain that is present for more than 3 months, with an unknown cause in the absence of trauma.
What differentiates referring neck pain from radiating neck pain?
Referring neck pain follows myotomes and usually has a normal neurological exam, while radiating neck pain follows dermatomes and has an abnormal neurological exam.
What is the definition of low back pain?
Pain that is present between the tip of the last thoracic spinous process to the tip of the sacro-coccygeal joints.
What are common risk factors for developing chronic low back pain?
- Stress at work
- Previous injuries
- Litigation