Pain Flashcards
Definition of pain?
an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage
What factors influence the perception of pain?
- psychological factors including previous experiences
- pre-existing pain (acute or chronic)
Which aspect of pain must the pharmacist respond to?
The patients perception of the pain
What are the three tpyes of pain?
- Nociceptive
- No apparent cause
- Neuropathic
What are the types of nociceptive pain? Types of neuropathic pain?
Acute and chronic
What are the types of acute nociceptive pain?
Immediate and delayed response
Difference between acute and chronic pain?
acute:
- usually obvious tissue damage
- pain resolves on healing
- serves a protective funciton
Chronic:
- 3-6 months +
- goes beyond expected period of healing
- no protective function
- degrates health and function
What can chronic pain be a result of?
Dysfunctional activation of pain pathways
How is acute pain protective?
Causes patient to seek medical help. Also reduce mobility so that the damage can heal
Importance of pain management to pharmacists?
OTC analegesics should no longer be prescribed
Around 35% of pharmacists speak to pain patients 2-5 times a day
Results suggest patients are given inconsistent advice about OTC analgesics
Examples of acute pain in community pharmacy?
Minor ailments
- Backache, earache, sprains and strains, headache
OTC
- menstrual pain, migraine, post procedural pain
Why is post procedural pain more common for community pharmacists to manage?
Patients being discharged on day case far more frequently
Which acronym should you use when asking about pain?
SOCRATES
Site
Onset - when, how quickly
Character - aching, stinging,stabbing, burning etc
Radiation
Associations - any other symptoms e.g. nausea, sweating
Time course - specific pattern throughout the day?
Exacerbating/relieving factors
Severity
What patient factors must be taken into consideration before treatment for acute pain is decided on?
Co-moribities and medications
- esp anything already tried by the patient for the pain
Balance between patient’s subjective pain analysis and other factors?
Since pain is a perception, must believe the patient on how they feel it. Balance with other monitoring parameters and clinical signs of pain level
High tech method of regional pain relief?
Epidural infusion - local anaesthetic with or without opioid
Low tech method of regional pain relief?
Nerve block - local anaesthetic with or without opioid
Steps of the stepwise strategy for mild-moderate pain?
- Paracetamol
- Sub paracetamol for ibuprofen
- Paracetamol + ibuprofen
- Substitute ibuprofen for stronger NSAID (naproxen usually). keep paracetamol
- weak opioid + paracetamol and/or NSAID
Important considerations for treating mild-moderate pain?
Treat underlying cause when possible
Use full therapeutic doses before switching agent
Use weak opioid at step 2 if C/I to NSAID
Consider PPI cover for NSAIDs
Avoid combination drugs as first line (they are useful for stabilised
Why avoid combined analgesics in acute pain?
Harder to change doses and step up/down. Can leave shorter periods between dosing
Analgesia choice in children for acute pain? (>3 months)
Paracetamol or ibuprofen alone first line
If no response - check adherence and dosing
Then switch
Red flags associated with arthritis pain that may usually be managed in the community?
- Deformity associated with pain
- Too painful to move / cannot bear weight;
- Severe swelling, discolouration, hot to the touch or bleeding;
- Persistent joint pain, tenderness or swelling;
- Prolonged or severe morning stiffness (more than 30 minutes duration);
- Feeling unwell or presence of fever;
- Tingling or numbness
Examples of acute pain in secondary care?
Trauma/burns Myocardial Infarction Kidney Stones Childbirth Post-operative pain Sickle cell crisis
What is importanct to determine when someone presents with back pain?
Neuropathic or nociceptive
Warning signs when a patient presents with back pain?
recent trauma or injury, pain down legs and below knees, loss of bladder/bowel control, weight loss
How is back pain treated?
According to the pain ladder. Short course of benxos may be used if spasms are present
patient must be advised that laying down for long periods will make it worse
How much paracetamol to give to a 3-6 month old?
2.5mL infant suspension
How much paracetamol to give to a 6-24 month old?
5mL infant suspension
How much paracetamol to give to a 2-4 year old?
7.5mL infant suspension
How much paracetamol to give to a 4-6 year old?
10mL infant suspension
How much paracetamol to give to a 6-8 year old?
5mL six plus suspension
How much paracetamol to give to a 8-10 year old?
7.5mL six plus suspension
How much paracetamol to give to a 10-12 year old?
10mL six plus suspension
Max daily doses of paracetamol by weight?
> 50kg: 4g
41-49kg: 3g
<41kg: 2g