Chapter 6: Pain Assessment Flashcards
What is the fifth vital sign?
Pain
T/F Level of pain correlated directly with the amount of tissue damage.
False
Name some things that effect how a patient may rate pain.
Culture, spirituality, mood/affect, sleep, fatigue, tissue integrity, mobility, functional ability.
Define pain threshold
the point at which at stimulus is perceived as pain.
Define pain tolerance
duration or intensity of pain a person will endure before outwardly responding
What increases/decreases pain tolerance?
Tolerance DECREASES repeated exposure to pain, fatigue, anger, boredom, and sleep deprivation.
Tolerance INCREASES after alcohol consumption, medications, hypnosis, warmth, distracting activities, strong faith-related beliefs.
What are the two types of pain?
Acute (recent onset) results from tissue damage. May cause physiologic signs and is self-limiting/ends when tissue heals.
Persistent (chronic). When a pt gets used to pain it may manifest as irritability, insomnia, depression, or withdrawal.
Name four inferred pain pathologies
Noiceptive pain, neuropathic pain, referred pain, phantom pain
Define nociceptive pain
Arises from somatic structures such as bone, joint, or
muscle.
Results from activation of normal neural systems.
Define neuropathic pain
Occurs because of abnormal processing of sensory input.
Define referred pain
Pain felt in a location away from the injury. [e.g., gall
bladder, MI]
Often visceral pain, as many abdominal organs have no pain
receptors.
Define phantom pain
Pain felt in an amputated extremity.
How long do you wait to reassess parenteral administration?
30 minutes
How long do you wait to reassess oral administration?
60 minutes
How can you tell if a neonate patient is experiencing pain?
increased heart rate, hypertension, pallor, sweating, and
decreased oxygenation saturation.
