Pain Flashcards
Pain
An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage. Pain is a change in the nervous system, as well as being reflective of the patient’s past pain experiences and the meaning of pain.
What are the dimensions of pain?
cognitive, affective, physiologic, behavioral, sociocultural
Cognitive dimension of pain
Beliefs, attitudes, memories, and meaning attributed to pain that can influence the patient’s response to pain and should be incorporated into the comprehensive treatment plan
Affective dimension of pain
Emotional response to pain experience. Responses may include anger, fear, depression or anxiety. May be relieved by pain reflief and influenced by spirituality
Physiologic dimension of pain
Transmission of nociceptive stimuli that communicates tissue damage to the CNS
Behavioral dimension of pain
Observable actions used to express or control pain include facial expressions, social withdrawal, decrease in physical activity, use of relaxation and taking medications. Responses may also include fear, depression and anxiety
Sociocultural dimension of pain
Includes demographics, support systems, social roles, and culture. Age, gender, and education may influence beliefs and coping strategies. Sociocultural dimension of pain must be assessed without stereotyping
Narcotic Tolerance
This is the need for an increased dose to maintain the same degree of pain control. It is not as common as people think. If this develops the MD may choose to rotate drug instead of increasing the dose.
Physical Dependence
This is an expected response to ongoing exposure to pharmacologic agents manifested by withdrawal symptoms when blood levels drop abruptly. The drug should be tapered to avoid this barrier.
Addiction
This is a neurobiolgic condition where there is a drive to obtain and take substances for other than prescribed therapeutic value.
Endorphins
opiate-like peptides produced naturally by the body at neural synapses in the CNS which modulate the transmission of pain perception. They raise the pain threshold, produce sedation and euphoria.
Pain Threshold
The level that must be reached for an effect to be produced
Referred Pain
Pain that is perceived in an area distant from the site of the stimuli
Intractable Pain
Pain that continues to occur even with optimal medical management
Phantom Pain
A pain syndrome that occurs following surgical or traumatic amputation of a limb. The client experiences pain in the missing body part even though there is complete mental awareness that the limb is gone.
Somatic Pain
Pain arising from nerve receptors originating in the skin or close to the surface of the body
Visceral Pain
Pain arising from body organs, dull and poorly localized due to low number of nocipceptors
Neurogenic Pain
Also referred to as neuropathic pain. Arising from nerves
Gate Control Theory
Proposed by Ronald Melzack and Patrick Wall, gate control theory suggests that the spinal cord contains a neurological “gate” that either blocks pain signals or allows them to continue on to the brain. Unlike an actual gate, which opens and closes to allow things to pass through, the “gate” in the spinal cord operates by differentiating between the types of fibers carrying pain signals. Pain signals traveling via small nerve fibers are allowed to pass through, while signals sent by large nerve fibers are blocked. According to this theory synapses in the dorsal horns act as a gate that closes to keep impulses from reaching the brain or open to permit impulses to ascend to the brain. Gate control theory is often used to explain phantom or chronic pain.
Gate Control Theory & Nursing
The Gate Control Theory is one approach that helps to explain how thoughts and emotions of an individual modify the perception of pain. Clinically, RNs can use this model to treat the underlying causes of pain with nursing interventions such as massage, heat, cold, imagery, distraction, empathy and support
Factors that can affect an individual’s perception of and reaction to pain
- Ethnic and cultural values
- Developmental stage
- Environment and support individuals
- Past pain experiences
- Anxiety and stress
- Pain barriers
Infant (1 Month to 1 Year) Pain Perception, Behavioral responses and TNIs
- Give a glucose pacifier.
- Use tactile stimulation. Play music or tapes of a heartbeat
Toddler (1 to 2 Years) Pain Perception, Behavioral responses and TNIs
- No formal concept of pain related to immature thought process and poorly developed body image
- Reacts as intensely to painless procedures as to ones that hurt, especially when restrained
- Intrusive procedures, such as temperatures are very distressing
- Reacts to pain with physical resistance, aggression, negativism, and regression
Preschool (3 to 5 Years)Pain Perception, Behavioral responses and TNIs
- Pain perceived as punishment for bad thoughts or behavior
- Difficulty understanding that painful procedures help them get well
- Cannot differentiate between “good” pain (as a result of treatment) and “bad” pain (resulting from injury or illness)
- Reacts to painful procedures with aggression and verbal reprimands, e.g., “I hate you.” “You’re mean.”
- Distract the child with toys, books, pictures.
- Involve the child in blowing bubbles as a way of “blowing away the pain.”
- Hold the Child to provide comfort