Pain Flashcards
What is pain? (three things)
Complex
individual
invisible
What is pain according to margo McCaffery
Whatever the patient says it is
What are the three theories of pain?
Specificity
Pattern
Gate Control
What is the specificity theory of pain?
Neurons and pathways are specific for diff. types of pain
WHat is the pattern theory of pain?
Rapid and slow fibers form a pattern
What is the gate control theory?
- most relevant and most used in assessment*
- impulses can be modulated and blocked
- Stimulation of large fibers can inhibit small fibers
- Stopping inpulse in spine befor it reaches the brain
What are the functions of pain?
Protection
Alerts to harmful stimuli
Elicits escape
Most common reason people seek care
Acute pain is ____
Temporary
Sudden
easily located
Acute pain can range from ___
Mild to severe
Untreated acute pain can develop into chronic pain after ____
3/6 months
Chronic pain is____
Persistant, irritable, and interferes with life
Chronic pain can cause what physciological effects?
Depression, despair, hopelessness, fatigue
What are the three physiologic sources of pain?
Somatic
Visceral
Neuropathic
What is somatic pain?
Pain from the skin and subcutaneous tissues
Pain from the bones, muscles, blood vessels, CT
What are the qualities of somatic pain?
Sharp, dull, buring, achy, cramping
What is visceral pain?
Pain in the organs and linings of the body (hard to pinpoint sometimes)
What qualities does visceral pain have?
Stabbing, diffuse, deep
What is neuropatic pain?
Pain in the nerve fibers, spinal cord, and CNS
What qualities does neuropathic pain have?
Burning, shooting, phantom limb
What does phantom pain feel like?
Squeezing crushing
What is phychogenic pain?
Pain from the mind
What is pain tolerance?
Ability to endure pain before something is done. increases with age
What is breakthrough pain?
Occurs when there is a complaint of pain that isnt covered with scheduled meds
what is intractable pain?
Pain resistant to therapy