Comfort Flashcards
PCA can only be given if pt can _________.
Self administer
What is the name of the theory that suggests that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that controls pain signals to the brain?
Gate Theory
Describe gate theory.
Spinal cord contains neurological “gate” that controls pain signals to the brain.
What medications make up the 1st line of analgesics?
NSAIDS: Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen
Non Opioid Acetaminophen: Tylenol
NSAIDS and Non Opioid Acetaminophen are ____ line of defense medications.
1st
What medications are used for mild to moderate pain?
Non opioid analgesics: Acetaminophen and NSAIDS
What medications make up the 2nd line of opioids?
Fentanyl, morphine, and hydrocodone.
What medications are used for severe pain?
Opioid analgesics such as morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.
NSAIDS posses a risk for what?
GI Bleeding risk.
Opioid used increases the risk for what?
Constipation.
What is the antidote for opiate overdose?
Narcan/Naloxone
What are the two types of nociceptive pain?
Visceral and Somatic.
Describe visceral pain?
Pain that stems from organs and is poorly localized.
What is the name for the type of pain that is poorly localized and stems from organs?
Visceral pain.
Describe somatic pain?
Pain that stems from bone or tissue and is localized to one area.
What is the name for the type of pain that is localized to one area, and stems from bone or skin injury?
Somatic Pain.
What are examples of somatic pain?
Arthritic pain, joint pain, laceration, bone fracture.
How does somatic pain feel?
Well localized, dull, aching, throbbing, sharp pain.
How does visceral pain feel?
Poorly localized, dull, aching, vague pain that is distant from source of pain.
What are examples of visceral pain?
Back pain resulting from kidney damage.
What is nociceptive pain?
The pain you feel after an injury.
What is neuropathic pain?
Pain that results from damage to the nervous system.
Difference between how children experience pain vs older adults?
Children lack the neurological development to sense pain and can experience frustration when trying to express it.
Define acute pain?
Short lived pain, results from tissue damage or disease, varies in intensity.
Define chronic pain?
Pain that lasts >3 months, periods or remission and exacerbation, difficult to describe, poorly localized.
How does pain affect the endocrine system?
Pain increases endocrine activity that results in increased metabolism leading to weight loss.
What is the name of care that considers the person as a whole person (body, mind, spirit)?
Hollistic care
What are common pharmacologic strategies available for pain relief?
Non-opioid analgesics, NSAIDS, IV meds, antidepressants, topical analgesics, PCA, local anesthesia.
When should a nurse re-evaluate the patient’s pain after giving medication?
30min-1hr
Hepatic toxicity, CV risk, GI risk are all adverse effects of _____ medications.
oral pain medications
What is PCA?
Patient Controlled Analgesia
Method of drug delivery that allows the patient to self-administer opioids.
What are the most common medications used for patient controlled analgesia?
morphine, and hydromorphone
Side effect of PCA that is of most concern?
Constipation
Opioid analgesics are typically classified as _____ or _______.
Agonist and antagonists.
Agonist medications act on the ______ at the receptor site.
neurotransmitter
Examples of agonist medications?
Morphine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, oxycodone and hydrocodone.
Significant drop in HR, BP and low tissue perfusion with cold sweaty hands, weak pulse, thirst, dizziness and decreased urine output is a sign of what?
Shock.
What is the adverse effect of opioid use?
Respiratory depression.
What is the plan of care for a patient with neuropathic pain?
Anti-depressants, pain relieving numbing meds, Injections, opioids, physical therapy, counseling, relaxation/massage therapy, acupuncture, and or devices that affect nerve signals.
What is mixed pain?
Both neuropathic and nociceptive pain.
What are symptoms of mixed pain?
Poorly defined pain, fibromyalgia pain, pain with HIV.
What medications are used for mixed pain?
antidepressants and anticonvulsants
What does the FLACC scale stand for?
Pain assessment in children, (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability).
Degenerative disk disease is an example of _______ pain.
Neuropathic pain.
