Pain Flashcards
What distinguishes acute from chronic pain?
Effect on heart rate, respirations, and blood pressure, dilation of pupils, and sweating
How many levels can medication bring down a person’s pain?
2-3
Pain is an activation of which nervous system?
Sympathetic
How long does pain have to persist for it to be chronic?
3 months
What are characteristics of chronic pain?
It is poorly localized and often accompanied by depression
What are the categories of pain?
Localized, projected, radiating, and referred
Which two specific fibers transmit periphery pain?
A delta fibers and C fibers
What are the sources of pain?
Nociceptive and Neuropathic
When assessing pain, what should be considered?
Precipitating or palliative, quality or quantity, region or radiation, severity scale, and timing
What are the drug groups of pain medication?
Non-opioids, opioids, and adjuvants
How do opioids treat pain?
They block the release of neurotransmitters in the spinal cord
What are the side effects of opioids?
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, sedation, and respiratory depression
Why should you not use heating pads when administering pain medication?
They cause the meds to be absorbed quicker
When a patient complains of a pain level of 1-3, which type of medication should they be given?
Non-opioids
When a patient complains of a pain level of 4-6, which type of pain medication should they be given?
Weak opioids along or with adjuvant drugs
When a patient complains of a pain level of 7-10, which type of medication should they be given?
Strong opioids
What types of nonpharmalogical measures can be taken to reduce pain?
Physical measures, physical and occupational therapy, and cognitive/behavioral measures
What are types of physical interventions that can relieve pain?
Application of heat, cold, or pressure, therapeutic touch, massage, and vibration
What are cognitive and behavioral strategies used as adjuncts to drug therapy to reduce pain?
Distraction, imagery, relaxation techniques, hypnosis, acupuncture, and glucosamine
What invasive techniques can be used to control chronic pain when drugs or other methods are ineffective?
Nerve blocks and spinal cord stimulation
What should a pain assessment include?
Level of consciousness, vital sign changes, and pain characteristics
