Pain Management Flashcards
The number one reason for healthcare
Pain management
______ is subjective and whatever the person says it is (personal)
Pain
Pain is expressed in what ways?
Physiologically, verbally, and nonverbally
Physiological ways pain can be seen
Vital signs
Pain is unique due to ……
Genetic makeup
Pain can be a warning of
Disease
Types of pain
- Acute
- Persistent (chronic)
- Cancer
- Nociceptive
- Neuropathic
Acute pain is described as
Short - Seconds to 3 months
Persistent or chronic pain is described as
Long term. 3 to 6 months or more. Considered a disease on its own
Cancer pain is described as…..
Acute or chronic. Direct or indirect from cancer. Difficult to treat
Nociceptive pain is described as…..
Somatic or visceral
Somatic pain is …..
Bone, tissue, muscle, joint pain (i.e. easily pinpointed)
Visceral pain is described as…..
Organ pain. Poorly localized. Experienced as cramps, deep, and heavy. Physiological like heart or stomach
Neuropathic pain is described as…..
Damaged nerves, abnormal sensory input. Ex. diabetic neuropathy
Abnormal pain signaling resulting in perceived pain from mild, non-painful stimuli
Allodynia
Lower pain threshold. It is an exaggerated response to normal painful stimuli. A heightened pain response.
Hyperalgesia
Nervous system adaptation as a result of tissue injury and inflammation.
Nervous System Sensitization
Complete or partial collapse of lung
Atelectasis
Allodynia and hyperalgesia are consequences of…..
Unrelieved pain
Tendency to have thrombosis
Hypercoagulability
During fight or flight, what happens to blood
Blood leaves the extremities
Physiolocial responses to pain
Increased pulse Increased respiration Pallor Anorexia Fatigue Hyperglycemia
Physical assessment of pain
Inspection first (limping etc.) then palpation
Characteristics of pain
Onset Location Duration Quality (stabbing, throbbing) Intensity (pain scale) Aggravates / alleviates
Accurate history
Physiologic responses to pain
Assessment to behavioral responses to pain
What makes pain better or worse?
Nursing assessment of pain
Language translation program
CyraCom
Cognitively impaired may only exhibit pain
Behaviorally
Patients with chronic pain may….
not express pain as those with acute pain. Can appear relaxed and be able to sleep
Factors affecting healthcare
Healthcare professional performing poor assessments
Healthcare institution not able to provide all types of pain relief
Lack of access to treatment or gov’t restrictions of controlled substances
Patients do not realize they are…..
…experts about their own pain
A medication that is not primarily designed to control pain but can be used for this purpose
Adjuvant analgesics
A group of drugs such as antidepressants, anticonvulsants, corticosteroids, neuroleptics, and other drugs with narrower adjuvant functions
Adjuvant drugs
A substance which enhances the body’s immune response to an antigen
Adjuvant
MOSS
Michigan Opioids Sedation Scale
Sedation Scale
- Awake & alert
- Slightly drowsy, easily aroused
- Frequently drowsy, arousable but drifts off to sleep during conversation
- Somnolent, minimal or not response to physical stimuli
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation
TENS
For pain relief:
Heat up to….
Cold up to…..
Heat up to 30 minutes
Cold up to 20 minutes
Non-pharmacological pain management
Distraction Relaxation Imagery Biofeedback - learning voluntary control over automatic functions (Learning to slow down BP)
