Pain Management Flashcards
Behaviour and vital signs (blood pressure, pulse) are reliable indicators of pain. True/False?
False
Neither sensitive nor specific - self-reporting is much more reliable
What is allodynia?
Pain from a stimulus that is not normally painful
What is hyperalgesia?
Pain that is beyond what is expected from a painful stimulus
Which drugs form the WHO ladder for treating pain?
Non-opiods: paracetamol, NSAIDs
Opiods: tramadol, codeine, morphine
List some topical analgesics
Capsaicin
Lidocaine 5% plaster
How do NSAIDs fight pain? Give examples of drugs and side effects
Inhibit COX1 to decrease prostaglandin synthesis
Aspirin, ibuprofen
GI irritation, renal toxicity
How does paracetamol work? List a side effect
Inhibits prostaglandin synthesis
Risk of liver toxicity
How do opioids work? Give examples of drugs and side effects
Affect descending pathways to reduce pain perception and transmission
Tramadol, codeine, morphine
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness
Anti-depressants (amitriptyline) can be used for pain. How do they work? List some side effects
Inhibit noradrenaline and 5-HT uptake
Constipation, dry mouth, arrhythmias, insomnia