Chapter 35 Flashcards
Acute pain
episode of pain that lasts from seconds to less than 6 months
Addiction
Patter of compulsive use of addictive substances for means other than prescribed
Adjuvant
drugs typically used for other purposes, but also used to enhance the effect of opioids by providing additional pain relief
Analgesic
pharmaceutical agent used to relieve pain
Breakthrough pain
temp flare up of moderate to severe pain that occurs even when the patient is taking around the clock med for persistent pain
Chronic pain
epsiode of pain that last for 6 months or longer; may be intermittent or continous
cutaneous pain
superficial pain usually involving skin or subcutaneous tissue
Dynorphin
the endorphin having the most potent analgesic effect
endorphins
morphine like substances released by body that appear to alter the perception of pain
enkephalins
opioids that are widespread throughout the brain and dorsal horn of the spinal cord and are believed to reduce pain sensation by inhibiting the release of substance P
Exacerbation
period of chronic illness when symptoms reappear
Gate control theory
theory that explains the excitatory pain stimuli carried by small diameter never fibers can be blocked by inhibiting signals carried by large diameter nerve fibers
intractable
severe pain that is extremely resistance to relief measures
Modulation
process by which the sensation of pain is inhibited or modified
Neuromodulators
endogenous opioid chemical regulators that appear to have analgesic activity and alter pain perception
Neuropathic pain
pain that results as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting abnormal functioning of the peripheral nervous system or central nervous system
*burning, electric, tingling or stabbing
Neurotransmitters
substances that either excite or inhibit target nerve cells
nociceptive pain
pain from a normal process that results in noxious stimuli being perceived as painful
nociceptors
pain receptors AKA peripheral receptors
Respond to mechanical, thermal, and chemical stimuli
opioid
more correct term for narcotic analgesics, since drugs act by binding to opiate receptor sites in CNS
Pain threshold
amount of stimulation required before a person experiences the sensation of pain
Pain tolerance
point beyond which a person is no longer willing to endure pain
perception
conscious process of organizing and interpreting date from the senses into meaningful information
Phantom pain
a sensation of pain without demonstrable physiologic or pathologic substance; commonly observed after amputation
Physical dependence
phenomenon in which the body physiologically becomes accustomed to an opioid and suffers withdrawals symptoms if opioid is suddenly removed
Placebo
Latin word meaning, “I shall please”; an inactive substance that gives satisfaction to the person using it
Psychogenic pain
pain for which no physical cause can be identified
referred pain
pain in an area removed from that in which stimulation has it orgin
remission
period in chronic illness in which disease is present but the person has no symptoms
somatic pain
pain originating in the structures in the body external wall
tolerance
occurrence of the body becoming accustomed to an opioid and needing a larger dose each time
Transduction
Activation of pain receptors - converts painful stimuli to electrical impulses that travel from the periphery to spinal cord at the dorsal horn
transmission
conduction of pain sensations from the site of an injury or inflammation along clear and unclear pathways to the spinal cord and them on to higher centers
visceral pain
pain origination in the internal organs in the thorax, cranium or abdomen
What are the 4 specific physiologic processes involved in nociception (ability to feel pain)
Transduction - activation of pain receptor
Transmission - site of pain to spinal cord and up
Perception - sensory process
Modulation of pain - neuromodulators, bind to opioid recptor sites in CNS & block pain
What are other substances released that stimulate nociceptors?
Bradykinin- vasodilator & releases histamine
Prostaglandins - a hormone-like substance
Substance P - sensitizes receptors on nerves and increases rate of firing of nerves
WHat are the neurotransmitters?
Prostaglandins
Substance P
serotonin
What are the 2 opioid neuromodulators?
Endorphins - powerful, pain-blocking chemicals
Enkephalins - less potent than endorphins but reduce pain by release substance P
