Pain

Question 1

Define and understand pain

Answer 1

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage

Question 2

Classify of pain

Answer 2

Pain can be classified as acute < 3 months or chronic > 3 months.

Question 3

How do we assess pain?

Answer 3

When assessing pain, we assess the following criteria:

1. Intensity
2. Depth
3. Behaviour
4. Description
5. % relief of pain with medication use
6. When did the pain start?
7. How did the pain start?

Question 4

Provide an overview of pain management: biopsychosocial approach

Answer 4

Acute pain: POLICE

• Protection
• Optimal loading
• Ice
• Compress
• Elevate

Chronic:

• Biopsychosocial approach: Interprofessional team: physiotherapist; psychologist; social worker; doctor
• Education - about pain & the brain
• Exercise – the most effective modality
• Pharmacological – medication
• Psychological – e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy
• TENS (electrotherapy)

Question 5

List one assessment tool for pain

Answer 5

Pain can be assessed using the following tools:

1. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)
2. Numeric Pain Scale (NPS)
3. Face Pain Scale (FPS)/ Facial analogue scale
4. Brief Pain Inventory (BPI)

Question 6

Mr. Bagpipes complains of pain and muscle tightness in his calf muscle. Describe how you would assess his pain using one measurement tool.

Answer 6

Using the numeric pain scale
• Has numbers 0 – 10
• 0 = no pain
• 10 = worst pain

Question 7

Mrs. Dlamini has had rheumatoid arthritis in both hands for the last two years. She presents with pain and inability to squeeze a towel when bathing. Using a visual analogue scale describe how you would assess her pain. 3

Answer 7

1. Visual Analogue scale – 10cm line: one end labelled ‘no pain’ & other end ‘worst pain possible’
2. Patient marks on the 10cm the line
3. Mark measured & recorded.

Question 8

Tabulate 3 difference between chronic and acute pain.

Answer 8

Acute pain:
•	A physiological response to threat
•	Short lived
•	Resolves with healing
Chronic Pain:
•	Pain that persists beyond healing times
•	No longer linked to tissue damage
•	Seen as a DISEASE
•	PAIN and pain-related DISABILITY is the problem