Pain (1) Flashcards
Pain assessment must focus on:
sensory, cognitive, emotional, behavioral and spiritual influences and effects.
An assessment of persistent pain that is solely focused on identifying the pain generator will likely lead to ___________ for both the patient and the provider.
Frustration
The goal of the pain interview is to:
Build trust
Gather information
Facilitate change
What are the rule out Red Flags?
Bowel/bladder dysfunction
Saddle anesthesia—perineal numbness
Bilateral leg weakness—motor lesion
Severe, sudden onset headache—aneurysm/cva /ICH
Fever, weight loss, night sweats—cancer
Recent injury
History of cancer—friable tissue, tried pain interventions
What is the goal of the patient centered interview?
Build the patients trust
What does OPQRSTU mnemonic for assessing pain?
Onset
Provocative/Palliative
Quality or Character
Region/Radiation
Severity
Timing/Treatment
U (You/Impact on Patient)
Why is it important to ask about previous consultations/treatments?
Tells us response to prior treatment (effects/side effects/ dose)
What is important about the psychosocial assessment?
Identifies coping strategies:
-anxiety, catastrophizing (, avoidance, internal locus of control
Catastrophizing: negative cascade of distressing thoughts—associated with higher pain intensity/poor Tx response
What do patient interviews sometimes become confrontational?
Doubt
Frustration
What should you do if a confrontation is unavoidable?
Remove yourself form the situation and seek assistance from a team member
WHat are the components of the clinical exam?
Inspection and General Appearance
Mental Status—usually patients in pain are taking multiple pain meds
Vital Signs
Posture and Gait
Palpation
Range of Motion (active and passive)
Neurological Examination
Special Tests
What is the goal of the physical exam?
Exclude red flags, complete psychosocial assessment , and quantify impairment
When is it appropriate to use diagnostic imaging?
Only when red flag signs and a physical exam suggest a red flag condition
Diagnostic imaging studies should only be performed in patients who have severe or progressive neurologic deficits or with features suggesting a serious or specific underlying condition
What is the cut off time when pain goes from being acute to chronic?
3 months
Why is multidimensional assessment scale for pain better to assess chronic pain?
(PEG) Assesses:
-average pain over past week
-Pain interference with QOL
-Pain interference with function
What screening tool is used for sleep apnea?
“STOP-BANG”
S Snoring?
T Tired?
O Observed apnea?
P High Blood Pressure?
B BMI > 35?
A Age > 50?
N Neck circumference > 40 cm (16 inches)?
G Gender is male?
Score >3 indicates presence and need to treat OSA
Screening tools for fibromyalgia:
WPI (widespread pain index)
SS (severity score)
What tool is used to screen patients prior to initiating opioids?
“ORT”
0-3: low risk
4-7: moderate risk
>8 : high risk
What would you do if a patient had a high score on the ORT screen?
Patient is high risk for abuse
Need more rigorous evaluation
How should you assess effectiveness of treatments?
Check 4 A’s:
Activity
Analgesia
Aberrant drug related behavior
Adverse effects
Consider 2 A’s:
Affect
Adjuncts
What does a low score on QoL screen indicate?
poor QoL
Neck pain is anywhere between ___________ and ___________
Base of the skull
The first thoracic spinous process
Which vertebrae separates upper and lower neck pain?
C4
Do you have headaches?
Just shove some 4% lidocaine on a cotton ball up your nose…problem solved sis