Drugs Used to Relieve Pain and Inflammation

Question 1

Addison’s disease

Answer 1

A disease or syndrome characterized by inadequate amounts of corticosteroid hormones.

Question 2

Analgesia

Answer 2

The absence of the sensation of pain.

Question 3

Ceiling effect

Answer 3

The highest level of a specific drug has been reaches; increasing the dose does not provide any additional pain relief but may increase the side effects.

Question 4

Cushing’s disease

Answer 4

Hyperadrenocorticism; a disease or syndrome characterized by an overabundance of corticosteroid hormones.

Question 5

Histamine

Answer 5

A chemical mediator of the inflammatory response released from mast cells. Histamine may cause dilation and increased permeability of small blood vessels, constriction of small airways, increased secretion of mucus in the airways, and pain.

Question 6

Iatrogenic

Answer 6

Caused by the physician (veterinarian).

Question 7

Modulation

Answer 7

The modification of nociceptive transmission.

Question 8

Multimodal analgesia

Answer 8

The use of different drugs with different actions to produce optimal analgesia and minimize individual drug quantities when possible.

Question 9

Nerve block

Answer 9

A loss of feeling or sensation produced by injecting an anesthetic agent around a nerve to interfere with its ability to conduct impulses.

Question 10

Neuropathic pain

Answer 10

Pain that originates from injury or involvement of the peripheral or central nervous system.

Question 11

Nociceptors

Answer 11

A receptor for pain caused by injury to body tissue. Pain sensation arises in the terminal ends of sensory nerve fibers.

Question 12

Pathologic pain

Answer 12

Pain with an exaggerated response; it is often associated with tissue injury due to trauma or surgery.

Question 13

Perception

Answer 13

The processing and recognition of pain in the cerebral hemisphere.

Question 14

Physiologic pain

Answer 14

The protective sensation of pain that allows individuals to move away from potential tissue damage.

Question 15

Preemptive analgesia

Answer 15

Analgesia administered before the painful stimulus to help prevent sensitization and windup.

Question 16

Prostaglandin

Answer 16

A substance synthesized by cells from arachidonic acid that serves as a mediator of inflammation and has other physiologic functions.

Question 17

Regional anesthesia

Answer 17

Loss of feeling or sensation in a large area (region) of the body after injection of an anesthetic agent into the spinal canal or around peripheral nerves.

Question 18

Somatic pain

Answer 18

Pain arising from bones, joints, muscle, or skin. Somatic pain is described in humans as localized, sharp, constant, aching, or throbbing.

Question 19

Transdermal application

Answer 19

The use of a patch applied to the skin to deliver a drug through an intact cutaneous surface to the systemic circulation.

Question 20

Transduction

Answer 20

The process that involves translation of noxious stimuli into electric activity at sensory nerve endings.

Question 21

Transmission

Answer 21

Conduction of pain impulses from peripheral pain receptors to the spinal cord.

Question 22

Visceral pain

Answer 22

Pain arising from stretching, distension, or inflammation of viscera, described in humans as deep, cramping, or aching and difficult to localize.