Pain Flashcards
What is the 5th vital sign?
Pain
What are nocieptors?
Free nerve endings. Sensitive to thermal, mechanical, chemical stimuli.
What are the 4 physiologic Process that conduct pain from the tissue injury to peripheral and central nervous system?
Transduction
Transmission
Modulation
Perception
Define neurotransmitters.
Inflammatory substance released into the extra cellular space result of tissue damage.
Nociception:
Sensation of tissue injury is conducted from peripheral to central nervous system.
What is Transduction?
The body converts energy from pain stimuli into electrical energy through nociceptors at the place of tissue injury.This initiates the release of neurotransmitters.
What is Transmission?
ACTION POTENTIAL or electrical signal transmitted to spinal cord or brain
A-Delta Fibers:
Large diameter
Myelinated fibers with rapid conduction of signals that are translated as sharp, acute pain.
C-Fibers:
Smaller, unmyelinated fibers with slow conduction of signals that are translated as diffuse, dull, and longer lasting.
Define perception:
Recognizing pain when the brain translates electric signals as pain.
Define modulation:
Changed perception by activating natural neurotransmitters called endogenous opioids.
What is pain threshold?
Lowest intensity when the brain recognizes pain.
Define pain tolerance:
Intensity or duration of pain that a patient can endure.
What is pattern theory?
When an injury occurs a signal is carried along large diameter nerve fibers that may inhibit a signal carried by thin fibers. (A pattern has to occur before pain exists)
What is Gate Control Theory?
Pain impulses are stopped at the spinal cord gate. There is no transmission to the brain. No perception of pain.
What is acute pain?
Rapid onset
Short duration
Subsides when injury is healed.
What is chronic pain?
Persistent pain
Long duration- 6months
May be episodic or continuous
May lead to disability
What is neuropathic pain?
Episodic or continuous pain that resulted from nerve injury
Persistent without painful stimuli
Nociceptive pain:
Physiologic pain results from nociceiptor stimulation in response to and injury or tissue damage.
What is visceral pain?
Pain from organs
What is referred pain?
Pain in an area other than the are causing pain.
Radiating pain:
Pain that extends to other areas.
Somatic pain:
Bone, skin, joint, and muscle pain
Phantom pain:
Brain continues to receive messages from the area of amputation.
Psychogenic pain:
Perceived pain without physical cause.
How do you asses pain?
SOCRATES Site Onset Characteristics Radiation Associations Time course Exacerbating/relieving factors Severity
1-3 on the pain scale?
Mild pain
4-7 on the pain scale?
Moderate pain
8-10 on the pain scale?
Severe pain
What is PCA?
A medication pump that administers analgesia without a need of a nurse.
What are the 2 therapeutic strategies used to manage pain:
Multimodal
Preemptive
What types of drugs are used to treat mild or moderate pain:
Nonopioid analgesics
Nonsterodial anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)
Types of drugs used to treat moderate to severe pain?
Opioid analgesics
What is a On-Q infusion pump?
Continuous infusion of local anesthesia through an antimicrobial catheter.
What is transdermal administrations?
Medicated adhesive patch. Allows absorption into the bloodstream.
Intrathecal in injection or infusion:
Narcotic of local anesthetic into subarachnoid space through a needle or catheter provides pain relief to a large area of the body.
Epidural analgesia:
Continuous infusion of a narcotic or local anesthetic into the epidural space by insertion or needle or catheter.
Nerve block:
Injection or local anesthetic into or near spinal nerves for temporary pain control.
Drug tolerance:
Adaptation to medication leads to ineffective pain management.
Coanalgesic meds:
(Adjutant meds) work synergistically with standard pain meds to enhance pain relief and treat side effect?
What is palliative care?
Improves quality of life for patients and families who face a life threatening illness.
Provide pain and symptom relief
Spiritual and psychological support
From beginning of diagnosis to the end of life.
What is the time interval for nonpharmacologic techniques?
30-60 minutes after intervention
What is the time interval for IM,SC, or PO administrations?
30-60 minutes after intervention.
What is the time interval of transdermal administration?
12-16 hours after intervention
What is the time interval for IV or sublingual administration:
15-30 minutes after intervention
Multimodal analgesia:
Multiple means for controlling pain.
Preemptive analgesia:
Medication administered before pain. (surgery)
Opioid analgesia:
Most effective agent for pain relief. (Highly addictive)
