comfort & pain management - 35 Flashcards
acute pain
episode of pain that lasts from seconds to less than 6 months
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
breath-through pain
temporary flare up of moderate to sever pain that occurs even when the patient is taking around the clock medication for persistent pain
chronic pain
episode of pain that lasts for 6 months or longer
dynorphin
the endorphin having the most potent analgesic effect
endorphins
morphine-like substances released by the 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 in chronic illness when the symptoms of the disease reappear
gate control theory
theory that explains the excitatory pain stimuli carried by small diameter nerve fibers can be blocked by inhibiting signals carried by large-diameter nerve fibers
intractable
severe pain that is extremely resistant 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
nocniceptive pain
pain from a normal process that results in noxious stimuli being perceived as painful
nociceptors
pain receptors
opioid
more correct term for narcotic analgesics, since these drugs act by binding to opiate receptor site in the central nervous system
physical dependence
phenomenon in which the body physiologically becomes accustomed to an opioid and suffers withdrawal symptoms if the opioid is suddenly removed or the dose is rapidly decreased
placebo
latin word meaning, “I shall please”; an inactive substance that gives satisfaction to the person using it
referred pain
pain in an area removed from that in which stimulation has its origin
remission
period in a chronic illness when the disease is present, but the person does not experience symptoms of the disease
somatic pain
pain originating in structures in the body’s external wall
transduction
activation of pain receptors
visceral pain
pain originating in the internal organs in the thorax, cranium, or abdomen
