Pain Flashcards
what is pain?
*“Whatever the experiencing person says it is, existing whenever the
experiencing person says it does” (pg. 1233-1234).
*Human body’s defensive mechanism that indicates the person is
experiencing a problem.
*Physical suffering or discomfort, unpleasant sensory, emotional experience
*Chronic pain is the most common reason to seek healthcare
*Linked to restrictions in mobility and daily activities, dependence on opioids, anxiety and
depression, and poor perceived health or reduced quality of life
*Fifth vital sign
*According to the AMA, gives pain equal status with blood pressure, heart rate,
respiratory rate and temperature as vital signs. Consider assessing your patient’s pain
once V/S are taken and documented.
*Relief of pain is a client rightGreat resource:
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6736a2.htm
peripheral nervous system
*Composed of sensory and motor neurons
*Pain perceived through sensory neurons
*Responded to through motor neurons
*Connections occur within spinal cord
*Nociceptors located at ends of small afferent neurons
*All tissues except brain
*Especially numerous in skin, muscles
the pain process
*Transduction: activation of pain
receptors
*Transmission: conduction along
pathways (A-delta and C-delta fibers)
*Perception of pain: awareness of the
characteristics of pain
*Modulation: inhibition or
modification of pain
bradykinin
powerful vasodilator that causes vasodilation and increases capillary permeability and constricts smooth muscles
prostaglandins
hormone like substance that send pain stimulation to the brain/CNS
substance P
sensitizes pain receptors on nerves to feel pain and also increases the rate f firing nerves.
origin of pain
Physical: cause of pain can be identified
Psychogenic: cause of pain cannot be identifiedHeadaches, back pain, stomach pain
Referred: pain is perceived in an area distant from its point
of originPain associated with a heart attack is often referred to the chest, arms, neck or
shoulders.
Pain from a gallbladder attack may be felt in the back of the shoulder.
signs of pain in infants/newborn
Challenging to distinguish
cause of discomfort and
to conduct an actual
assessment of pain, watch for the facial expression.
children/adolescents
Like infants, can be
difficult to assess and
determine.
Children’s capability to
describe pain increases
with age and experience.
Types of pain changes
throughout their
developmental stages
older adults
may have a higher pain tolerance, cognitive impairment is something we should watch for.
ethnicities
. Could be
considered a sign of
weakness or could be a
standard of accepting the
pain without complaint.
Cognitive level &
impairment
Some children may grow
up to “be brave” and
ignore the pain
acute pain
*Acute
*Sudden onset; varies in intensity from mild to severe
*Typically lasts less than 3-6 months. Could be as short as weeks
*Surgical pain
*“Protective in nature”-subjective.
*Warns an individual of tissue damage or disease.
chronic pain
*Persists greater than 6 months; lasts beyond the normal healing process
*Varying severity
*Periods of remission or exacerbation are common
*May or may not be localized
*May be limited, intermittent, or persistent
*Examples: frequent headaches, arthritis, back pain, fibromyalgia
1/3 of americans suffer from chronic pain
describe your pain? what does it feel like?
Described in terms of:*Location
*Site
*Radiation (spreads or extends to other areas)
*Referred- appears to arise in different areas of the body
*Phantom pain- can last for years & is normal. (BKA, AKA, etc)
*Intensity/Severity
*Mild, moderate, severe
*Standard 0-10 Scale
*1-4=mild pain
*5-6=moderate pain
*7-10=severe pain
*Visual Scale Faces
*Quality
*Stabbing, burning, itchy, aching, cold, dull, tender, shooting, numbness, throbbing, radiating, heavy, tender, cramping
*Duration/Onset
*When?
*How long has the pain been there?
*Timing
*Is it constant, intermittent? Both?
nociceptive pain
pain from a noxious stimuli being percieved as painful. sunburn, cuts, burns, bladder distention.
cutaneous pain
usually from cuts, the subcutaneous tissue is involved. and is superficial
somatic pain
*Is diffuse or scattered and originates in the tendons, ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and nerves. Common with everyday
injuries
visceral pain
*Poorly localized, and originates in the body organs in the thorax, cranium, and abdomen.
*Most common type of pain produced by disease (Examples:
constipation, menstrual cramps, gall stones, pain caused by cancer)
neuropathic pain
*Pain caused by a lesion or disease of the peripheral or central nerves
*Commonly described as burning, shooting or tingling (Examples: Phantom leg pain, spinal cord injury)
*Trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, phantom limb pain
gate control theory of pain
Proposed by Melzack and Wall, 1965Most widely accepted pain theory; most practical
*Describes the transmission of painful stimuli and recognizes a
relationship between pain and emotions.
*Small- and large-diameter nerve fibers conduct and inhibit pain
stimuli toward the brain.
*Gating mechanism determines the impulses that reach the brain.
*Other factors that have impact of this gate are past experiences,
the cultural and social environment, personal expectations,
beliefs about pain and etc.
*Factors that control gates: physical, emotional and behavioral
(responses to pain). See Box 35-1
patient self report of pain
*Identify pathologic conditions or procedures that may be
causing pain; consider physiologic measures (increased blood
pressure and pulse)
*Report of family member, other person close to the patient or
caregiver familiar with the person
nonverbal behaviors
*Nonverbal behaviors: restlessness, grimacing, crying, clenching
fists, protecting the painful area
*Physiologic measures: increased blood pressure and pulse
*Attempt an analgesic trial and monitor the results
A patient who has bone cancer is most likely
experiencing which of the following types of pain?
somatic Rationale: Deep somatic pain is diffuse or scattered and originates
in tendons, ligaments, bones, blood vessels, and nerves.
Cutaneous pain usually involves the skin or subcutaneous tissue.
Visceral pain is poorly localized and originates in body organs.
Referred pain is pain that originates in one part of the body and is
perceived in an area distant to that part.
perception of pain
Pain thresholdPain tolerance is the maximum level of pain that a person is able to
tolerate.
*Regular exposure to painful stimuli will increase pain tolerance
*Pain tolerance is distinct from pain threshold (the point at which
pain begins to be felt)
AdaptationLeads to protection of pain or injury
Modulation of painNeuromodulators
*Endorphins, dynorphins, enkephalins
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/2b/16/2a/2b162aafbda2866129f1abf41aa6c2a9–pharmacology-mnemonics-massage-therapy.jpg
Do not be judgmental…..
chronic pain
Greater
than 6
months
acute pain
sudden onset, less than 3-6 months, postsurgical pain.
breakthrough pain
moderate to severe pain due to temporary flare up. Transient
exacerbation of
pain that occurs spontaneously or
in relation to a specific predictable
or unpredictable
trigger*End-of-dose medication failure
central pain
Caused by damage to
nerves in CNS
due to stroke, MS, Parkinson
disease, or trauma.
May occur
immediately or
be delayed
May be less able to feel
normal touch
Described as burning, pins
and needles, aching, or
lacerating
phantom pain
Pain felt in amputated
limb or body
part even though it is
absent.
Usually recurring vs.
constantDescribed as
shooting, stabbing,
squeezing, throbbing, or burning
Associated with neurological
activity in
portions of brain once connected to amputated
body part
psychogenic pain
Pain associated with
psychological
factors vs. physiological
factors
Treatment should include
interventions for pain and
emotional
distress
general assessment of pain
*Patient’s verbalization and description of pain
*Duration of pain
*Location of pain
*Quantity and intensity of pain
*Quality of pain
*Chronology of pain
*Aggravating and alleviating factors
*Physiologic indicators of pain
*Behavioral responses
*Effect of pain on activities and lifestyle
*Visual assessment
*Especially important in newborns
nursing considerations with pain
Physical Assessment
-Vital Signs (b/p, pulse,
respiratory rate)
-Visual Exam: Inspection for injuries, etc
-Palpation of specific location
(is the patient guarded?)
-Testing motor functions
-Heart, lungs, breath sounds