Pain Management Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary function of small- and large-diameter nerve fibers in pain physiology?

A

Conduct and inhibit pain stimuli toward the brain

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2
Q

What role does the gating mechanism play in pain transmission?

A

Determines the impulses that reach the brain

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3
Q

What are the two types of nerve fibers involved in pain transmission?

A
  • Small-diameter nerve fibers
  • Large-diameter nerve fibers
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4
Q

What is transduction in the pain process?

A

Transduction is the activation of pain receptors, converting painful stimuli into electrical impulses that travel to the spinal cord.

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5
Q

What is transmission in the pain process?

A

Transmission is the conduction of pain sensations along pathways (A-delta and C-delta fibers) from the site of injury or inflammation to the spinal cord and higher centers.

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6
Q

What is perception of pain?

A

Perception of pain is the awareness of the characteristics of pain and how an individual may perceive that pain, which can vary based on pain tolerance.

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7
Q

What is modulation in the pain process?

A

Modulation is the inhibition or modification of pain sensation, regulated by neuromodulators such as endorphins, dynorphins, and enkephalins.

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8
Q

What are the two classifications of pain according to duration?

A

Acute, Chronic

Acute pain is typically short-term and often related to injury, while chronic pain persists over a longer duration.

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9
Q

Name the types of pain classified by localization/location.

A

Localized, Somatic, Visceral, Cutaneous, Referred

Each type of localization refers to the area of the body affected by the pain.

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10
Q

Fill in the blank: Pain that lasts for an extended period is classified as _______.

A

Chronic

Chronic pain is often defined as pain that persists for 3 months or longer.

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11
Q

True or False: Somatic pain is typically associated with internal organs.

A

False

Somatic pain usually originates from the skin, muscles, or joints, while visceral pain comes from internal organs.

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12
Q

What type of pain is described as coming from a source that is not the area of pain felt?

A

Referred

Referred pain is perceived in a location different from the site of the painful stimulus.

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13
Q

What is pain considered to be?

A

Subjective

Pain is a personal experience that varies from person to person.

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14
Q

What behaviors might indicate a patient is in pain?

A

Restlessness, grimacing, moaning, guarding

These signs can be misunderstood as uncooperativeness.

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15
Q

What is one of the 3 P’s that should be assessed during hourly rounding?

A

Pain

Pain recognition is crucial in patient assessments.

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16
Q

What are the two key questions to ask about the duration of pain?

A

How long has this pain been going on? How often are you feeling this pain?

Duration helps classify pain as intermittent or constant.

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17
Q

What is the significance of knowing if pain radiates?

A

It may indicate the etiology of the pain

Radiating pain can help in diagnosing the underlying cause.

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18
Q

What are the types of pain based on etiology?

A
  • Nociceptive pain
  • Neuropathic pain
  • Nociplastic pain

Each type has different origins and implications for treatment.

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19
Q

What is nociceptive pain?

A

Pain that occurs during the normal pain process

It is typically a direct response to injury or illness.

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20
Q

What is neuropathic pain?

A

Pain caused by a disease or lesion of the nervous system

An example is phantom pain.

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21
Q

What is nociplastic pain?

A

Chronic primary pain that is not classified as nociceptive or neuropathic

Often results from misdiagnosis and treatment delays.

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22
Q

What characterizes intractable pain?

A

Resistance to interventions and treatments given

This pain is difficult to manage even with medical help.

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23
Q

What is phantom pain?

A

Pain caused by a limb that is no longer there

It highlights the complexity of pain perception.

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24
Q

Fill in the blank: The three P’s include pain, ______, and ______.

A

participation, position

These are key aspects to assess during patient interactions.

25
Q

What might exacerbate pain?

A

Movement, palpation

Identifying triggers can aid in pain management.

26
Q

What are the three classifications of pain based on its nature?

A
  • Cutaneous (superficial)
  • Somatic (deep)
  • Visceral

Each type has different characteristics and implications for treatment.

27
Q

What are the main classifications of pain based on its cause?

A

Nociceptive pain and Neuropathic pain

Cancer-related pain and pain associated with end of life or palliation are considered separate from general pain classifications.

28
Q

What initiates nociceptive pain?

A

Nociceptors activated by actual or threatened damage to nonneural tissue

Nociceptors are peripheral somatosensory nerve fibers that transduce and encode noxious stimuli.

29
Q

How is nociceptive pain different from neuropathic pain?

A

Nociceptive pain is caused by tissue damage; Neuropathic pain is caused by lesions or diseases of the nervous system

Neuropathic pain can originate peripherally or centrally.

30
Q

What are common descriptions of neuropathic pain?

A

Burning, electric, tingling, or stabbing

Neuropathic pain can be either short duration or chronic.

31
Q

Define Allodynia.

A

Unexpected pain response to a stimulus that does not normally provoke pain

Allodynia is a characteristic of neuropathic pain.

32
Q

What is hyperalgesia?

A

Increased pain response to a normally painful stimulus

Hyperesthesia refers to increased sensitivity to a stimulus.

33
Q

What is intractable pain?

A

Pain that persists despite various interventions

It requires appropriate treatment to help regain quality of life.

34
Q

What are the factors affecting the pain experience?

A
  • Cultural and ethnicity variables
  • Family, biologic sex, gender, and age variables
  • Religious beliefs and spirituality
  • Environment and support people
  • Anxiety and other stressors
  • Past pain experience
35
Q

How does culture influence a person’s response to pain?

A

Cultural norms dictate behavior, attitudes, and values, affecting pain response.

36
Q

What are the three purposes of understanding ethnicity in healthcare?

A
  • Describing diversity in the U.S.
  • Collecting complete data across systems
  • Developing a comprehensive picture of healthcare quality
37
Q

True or False: Pain responses should be stereotyped based on cultural backgrounds.

A

False

38
Q

What is essential for nurses when assessing pain in patients from diverse backgrounds?

A

Involve patients in the pain assessment and avoid assumptions based on ethnicity or race.

39
Q

What challenges might arise when a patient’s language differs from that of the nurse?

A

Misinterpretation of the patient’s level of pain.

40
Q

What contributes to unsatisfactory pain outcomes in minority populations?

A
  • Language barriers
  • Culturally inappropriate pain assessment tools
  • Prejudice and misconceptions
41
Q

What influence do family dynamics have on a person’s pain response?

A

Family responses can reinforce or shape an individual’s pain behavior.

42
Q

How do gender differences affect pain expression in children?

A

Boys may be taught to be brave and not cry, while girls may be encouraged to express their pain.

43
Q

What misconception about infants and pain has been corrected?

A

Infants and small children are sensitive to and experience pain.

44
Q

How do religious beliefs influence pain perception?

A

Pain may be seen as a means of purification or punishment, affecting coping mechanisms.

45
Q

What is the relationship between anxiety and pain perception?

A

Anxiety tends to increase the perceived intensity of pain.

46
Q

What might cause a person to experience pain more acutely at night?

A

Fatigue and lack of distractions.

47
Q

How does past pain experience affect new pain experiences?

A
  • Fear of pain may increase
  • Previous adequate relief can reduce fear
  • Past unresolved pain can provoke fear and despair
48
Q

True or False: Some pain memories can provoke a violent response upon re-exposure to similar conditions.

A

True

49
Q

What percentage of older adults living in the community report pain daily?

A

Up to 50%

This statistic highlights the prevalence of pain among older adults, indicating a significant health concern.

50
Q

What impact does pain have on older adults?

A

Pain negatively impacts:
* Emotional well-being
* Functional ability
* Sleep
* Coping
* Resources

Understanding these impacts is crucial for effective pain management in older adults.

51
Q

What age group experiences pain more frequently than younger adults?

A

Adults older than age 65 years

This demographic shift in pain experience necessitates tailored healthcare approaches.

52
Q

What factors influence pain management decisions in older adults?

A

Factors include:
* Polypharmacy
* Comorbidities
* Cognitive function
* Misconceptions regarding pain

These factors complicate the management of pain in older adults.

53
Q

True or False: Pain is considered a normal part of aging.

A

False

Pain is common in older adults but is not a normal aspect of the aging process.

54
Q

What challenges exist in assessing pain in older adults?

A

Challenges include:
* Vision or hearing impairments
* Multiple-drug regimens
* Reluctance to report pain
* Psychological factors (boredom, loneliness, depression)

These challenges necessitate careful consideration in pain assessment.

55
Q

What is the most commonly used standardized tool for pain assessment?

A

Numeric Rating Scale

This tool is widely recognized but may not be preferred by all older adults.

56
Q

Fill in the blank: The __________ Pain Scale may be effective for older adults alongside the Numeric Rating Scale.

A

Wong–Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale

This scale uses facial expressions to help communicate pain levels, which can be particularly useful in older populations.

57
Q

What additional considerations should be included in a comprehensive pain assessment for older adults?

A

Considerations include:
* Impact on functional status
* Attitudes and beliefs
* Involvement of family members and caregivers
* Review of comorbidities and medications

A holistic approach is essential for effective pain management.

58
Q

What pain scale do some research suggest older adults prefer over horizontal numeric scales?

A

Vertical pain scale such as the Iowa Pain Thermometer

This preference highlights the need for flexibility in pain assessment tools.

59
Q

What is a significant health condition associated with pain in older adults?

A

Significant disability

This disability is primarily related to changes in mobility due to pain.