Pain: Module 1 Flashcards

1
Q

What is pain?

A

Pain is subjective (patient reported) & different to everybody

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2
Q

Physiological process of pain

A

Pain is caused when a stimulus causes electrical impulses to travel to the spinal cord

If tissue is injured it releases chemicals that excite nerve endings causing pain

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3
Q

Acute pain

A

Sudden, onset pain lasting less than 6 months

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4
Q

Chronic pain

A

Long-term intermittent/continious pain lasting longer than 6 months

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5
Q

Performing a pain assessment

A
  1. use an appropriate/valid tool depending on client
  2. obtain objective data (vitals) & subjective date (PQRSTU)
  3. accept client’s report of pain
  4. Assist client in creating a goal
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6
Q

Subjective indicators of pain

A

Anything patient reported is subjective (PQRSTU)

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7
Q

Objective indicators of pain

A

Anything observed by the nurse is objective (grimacing, vitals)

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8
Q

Numeric Pain Scale

A

Used in normal functioning adults, adolescents, and children who understand numbers (6 & up)

Scale 0-10

Slight pain 1-3
Moderate pain 4-7
Severe pain 8-10

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9
Q

Visual Pain Rating Scale

A

Used with children or cognitively and physically functioning, nonverbal patients

Uses a scale of a series of facial expression expressing pain

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10
Q

Factors affecting pain perception

A

Culture, ethnic, religious beliefs

Family, support system, gender, age

Environment, past experiences, anxiety

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11
Q

Nonpharmacological Pain Intervations

A

Interventions that do not involve the use of medications to relieve pain

Can be delivered independently by a nurse

Involves Positioning, cutaneous stimulation, cognitive strategies, therapeutic touch

changing positions, massage, TENS, distraction, music therapy, touch

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12
Q

Pharmacological Interventions

A

Pain relief from medications

Opioids or Narcotic Analgesics
Nonopoids
Adjuvant Analgesics

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13
Q

Opioids / Narcotic analgesics

A

Treats moderate to severe pain

Controlled substances

Morphine, codeine, fetanyl, oxycodone

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14
Q

Nonopoids

A

Non narcotic, OTC medications

NSAIDs, acetaminophen

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15
Q

Adjuvant Analgesics

A

enhance the effect of opioids by reducing pain and anxiety, NOT nonopioids

Corticosteroids. antidepressents, anticonvulsants, biphosphates

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16
Q

Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

A

Computerized IV pump with prescribed opioids dispensed according to patient needs

Used commonly in post op patients

17
Q

Pain

A

Multimodal, multidisciplinary, client-centered approach

Patients have a right to pain management

18
Q

Nurses role in pain management

A

Be a patient advocate, recognize the nature of pain, assess pain, assist in appropriate pain interventions

19
Q

Types of pain

A

Categorized by duration, origin, or disease causing it

Acute/chronic pain
Nociceptive/neuropathic pain
Cancer pain

Can be multiple at once

20
Q

Nociceptive pain

A

Origin pain that is felt in a tissue, organ, or damaged part of the body

Referred pain

Back pain, broken leg

21
Q

Neuropathic Pain

A

Origin pain dealing with nerve pain arising from the somatosensory system

Sciatic pain, spinal pain

22
Q

What is the most effective pain management approach

A

Multimodal approach

combine pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions

23
Q

What is the current pharmacological approach to acute & chronic pain

A

multimodal analgesia - combining 2 different drugs for efficient pain relief

24
Q

Preferred administration of pharmacological interventions

A

ATC rather than PRN

25
Cultural considerations in pain
Understand cultural differences when assessing pain Assess need for interpreter Understand patient may be reluctant to express or state any pain
26
Patients receiving opioids should be monitored for -
Oversedation and respiratory depression with a sedation scale
27
Complementary therapies
Nonpharmacological and pharmacological therapies administered together
28
Alternative therapies
Nonpharmacological therapies used instead of pharmacological therapies
29
Tolerance
Patients receiving opioids for extended periods of time may need a higher dose due to a built up tolerance
30
Routes of analgesic administeration
IV IM PO PR TOP Epidural space - in epidural space of back Local anesthetic pump - pumps meds directly into surgical wound site
31
Naloxone
opioid antagonist reverses opioid effects administered slowly , and with caution duration time shorter than opioids
32
Moist heat
Increase muscle/ligament flexibility Promote relaxation/healing relieve spasms, joint stiffness, pain Warm compress, moist heat packs, baths
33
Dry heat
No more than 20 minutes Reduce pain, increase healing increase blood flow Heat pads
34
Cold therapy
Treats inflammation in injury reduces edema, hematomas, muscle spasms, tissue metabolisms, exymatic activity and pain. Cold compress, ice packs, ice baths