Pain

Question 1

Somatic pain

Answer 1

pain in the skin or deeper tissues like bone and muscle or sensory nerves

Question 2

neuropathic pain

Answer 2

caused by trauma or disease to peripheral nerves

Question 3

what are nociceptors

Answer 3

free sensory nerve endings throughout most tissues in the body. stimulated by temp, chemicals (bradykinins, histamines, and prostaglandin), or mechanical/physical pressure

Question 4

pain pathway

Answer 4

stimulus to nociceptor to peripheral nerver (afferent pain fiber) to dorsal ganglion to dorsal root to synapse to lateral spinothalic tract, to reticular formation, to thalamus, to somatosensory cortex porietal lobe (locate pain), hypothalamus stress response), to limbic system (emotion response)

Question 5

pain manifestations

Answer 5

pallor, diaphoresis (sweating), tachycardia, HBP, nausea and vomiting, fainting/dizziness (acute), anxiety/fear (chronic), restlessness, clenched fists

Question 6

substance P

Answer 6

a neurotransmitter released at the synapse involved in the transmission of pain signals from nociceptors to the CNS with gate open

Question 7

acute pain

Answer 7

A warning, fast, localized
Fast A delta myelinated fibers
short term, increased BP, HR, nausea, vomiting
Anxiety
If cause it identified, treatment is effective

Question 8

Chronic pain

Answer 8

Slow, diffuse, prolonged
Existing or chemical
Slow unmyelinated C fibers
Long term, disabling
Fatigue, depression, anger
Difficult to treat

Question 9

For mild pain control

Answer 9

ASA, acetaminophen, NSAIDs

Question 10

for moderate pain

Answer 10

codeine, oxycodone, percocet, vicodin

Question 11

for severe pain

Answer 11

morphine, demerol, methadone, meperidine, oxycodone

Question 12

what are C fibers?

Answer 12

transmit signals from the periphery to the central nervous system. Unmyelinated C fibers are involved in the following sensations: temp, pain, itch, respiratory sensations

Question 13

What is the spinothalamic tract?

Answer 13

goes straight to the sensory cortex and allows for localization of pain.​ The STT is responsible for our quick reaction to painful stimuli, such as when we touch something hot.

Question 14

Unmyelinated C Fibers

Answer 14

Chronic pain sensations—often experienced as diffuse, dull, burning, or aching—are transmitted along the unmyelinated C fibers.​

Question 15

Myelinated A Fibers

Answer 15

Acute pain sensations—sudden, sharp, localized pain resulting from thermal or physical injury to the skin—are transmitted by myelinated A fibers.

Question 16

The spinoreticular tract

Answer 16

passes through the reticular formation in the brain stem (pons), hypothalamus, and thalamus before ending in the sensory cortex and is associated with the emotional aspect of pain.

Question 17

the specificity theory

Answer 17

explains that the level of experienced pain is related to the amount of tissue damaged. But this theory fails to describe the driver behind chronic pain.

Question 18

The neuromatrix theory

Answer 18

describes the pain sensation as a series of patterns derived from genetics and previous experiences with pain (both psychological and cognitive). It also describes pain as initiating from areas of the body that no longer exist, such as phantom pain. Pain perception may be influenced by factors that include age, gender, previous experiences with pain, and cultural preferences.

Question 19

The gate control theory

Answer 19

suggests that pain responses are filtered through pain-modulated impulses conducted to the spinal cord. Special cells in the substantia gelatinosa regulate the pain transmission to the central nervous system. Transmission of pain impulses opens the gate and allows the perception of pain to be recognized. The stimulation of skin receptors can act to partially close the gate, thereby reducing the pain sensation.

Question 20

neuropathic pain

Answer 20

Originates in the peripheral nerves
Stimulus: infection or disease damages peripheral nerves
Described as tingling, burning, or shooting; can be severe
Example: diabetic neuropathy
Duration: often long term

Question 21

ischemic pain

Answer 21

Originates anywhere in the body
Stimulus: sudden loss of blood flow that results in lack of oxygen to tissues and cells
Described as aching, burning, prickling, or shooting, depending on the location of the ischemia
Example: myocardial infarction
Duration: short term