Med Surg-Quiz 5 Flashcards
“Pain that is usually temporary and results from something specific, such as a surgery, an injury, or an infection.”
acute pain
“Pain that lasts beyond the term of an injury or painful stimulus. Can also refer to cancer pain, pain from a chronic or degenerative disease, and pain from an unidentified cause.”
chronic pain
Pain felt at a site different from the location of the injured or diseased part of the body. Referred pain is due to the fact that nerve signals from several areas of the body may “feed” the same nerve pathway leading to the spinal cord and brain
referred pain
nerve endings activated by noxious stimuli
Two types: A-Delta and C fibers
Nociceptors
small, myelinated fibers. (A=acute)
Quick onset; short duration.
Sharp/stabbing/prickling pains.
Located mainly superficially
A-Delta
small, unmyelinated fibers. Slow onset, long lasting. Dull ache, tingling, burning pain. (C=chronic)
Located in deeper structures
C fibers
larger, myelinated. FASTER than A-delta. Stretch, vibration and mechanoreceptors. In joints and skin
Non-nociceptive: A-Beta
level of stimulation required to activate the pain perception transmission
pain threshold
since 1965.
A-Beta fibers are nonnociceptive. Travel faster than A-Delta and C fibers. Therefore stimulus of A-Beta can block transmission of A-Delta and C closing the “gate” to the brain.
Gate Theory; since 1965
emotional center of body. Regulates autonomic nervous system.
Limbic system
“fight or flight”
Located: thoracic and upper lumbar spinal cord segments
Function: Increases CV, neuromuscular, respiratory and neurologic function
Stimulated by: fear, excitement, anger, pain, etc.
Sympathetic Nervous System
opposes the SNS.
Located: midbrain, pons, medulla, and sacral spinal segments
Relaxation response.
Parasympathetic Nervous System
Ability to control life conditions and events
Locus of control
outcomes are self-determined
Internal
outcomes are determined by others
external
