Pain Theory

Question 1

Pain

Answer 1

Unpleasant sensory or emotional experiences that is associated with actual or potential tissue damage

Question 2

Tolerance

Answer 2

A physiological adaptation to a drug that causes a muted drug effect

Question 3

Opioid-induced hyperalgesia

Answer 3

Pain as a result of exposure to opioids

Question 4

Hallmark sign

Answer 4

State where there are withdrawal symptoms if drug is not given

Question 5

Neuromatrix theory of pain

Answer 5

Addresses the influence of sensory, affective, and cognitive aspects of pain
Addresses pain transmission and modulation in certain areas of the brain

Question 6

Biopsychosocial approach to pain

Answer 6

Views pain as a complex experience affected by sensory input, but also closely influenced by behavioral, cognitive, affective, and environmental factors

Question 7

Gate Control Theory of Pain

Answer 7

Pain stimuli is either allowed to pass or is blocked by a gate in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord
Anxiety, negative thoughts, poor past experience, or depression can open the gate and increase perception of pain
Positive thoughts and relaxation can close the gate to decrease perceptions of pain

Question 8

Opioid Mediated Theory of Pain

Answer 8

Theory that endogenous opioids are pain-mediating chemicals that are produced in the body and affect the CNS and PNS

Question 9

Nociceptors

Answer 9

Receptors that detect and respond to potential or actual tissue damage
Sensitive and responsive to mechanical distorition and variation in chemical components in tissues
Anxiety, stress, or depression may amplify pain perception

Question 10

A-delta fibers

Answer 10

Myelinated pain fibers that carry sharp, well-localized pain signals

Question 11

C-fibers

Answer 11

Unmyelinated pain fibers that carry poorly localized burning and aching sensations and are easily injured

Question 12

Pain pathway

Answer 12

1. Afferent fibers
2. T-cells receive input from afferent fibers and assist in discriminating the type of pain
3. Brain
4. Descending inhibitory fibers in higher brain center release neurotransmitters to affect flow of afferent impulses

Question 13

Somatosensory cortex for pain

Answer 13

Perceives pain as sharp, discriminative, and localized to a specific area
Is responsibile for automatic reactions to pain

Question 14

Spinoreticulothalamic pathway

Answer 14

Terminates in the thalamus/midbrain region
Perceives pain as diffuse, poorly localized somatic and visceral pain

Question 15

Frontal cortex in pain

Answer 15

Defines perceptions and response to pain
Signals to release neurotransmitters which moderate and affect flow of afferent impulses

Question 16

Acute pain

Answer 16

Lasts seconds to days and warns of potential tissue damage
Initiates inflammatory response causing redness, swelling, increased local temperature, and pain
Substance P sends electrical impulses through afferent fibers of spinal cord in response to injury

Question 17

Acute recurrent pain

Answer 17

Episodes of pain with pain-free periods between flare-ups lasting less than 3 months

Question 18

Chronic pain

Answer 18

Pain that persists beyond the stage of healing and lasts longer than 3-6 months
Typically poorly localized with underlying cause not being fully understood

Question 19

Referred pain

Answer 19

Pain that is perceived at a location unrelated to the site of trauma that projects outward and distally

Question 20

Trigger point

Answer 20

Hypersensitive points in the muscle that cause referred pain

Question 21

Radiating pain

Answer 21

Originates from an irritated nerve root
Pain travels along the nerve’s dermatome

Question 22

5 types of neurogenic/neuropathic pain

Answer 22

Peripheral neuropathic pain
Peripheral nociceptive pain
CNS mediated pain
ANS mediation of pain
Affective motivational component

Question 23

Peripheral neuropathic pain

Answer 23

Caused by involvement of neural tissues resulting in mechanical and physiological changes in the body including limitations in movement, pain, paresthesia, or sensory changes

Question 24

Impact of chronic pain on health and function

Answer 24

Negative impact on occupational performance and success
Increased heart rate, sweating, muscle guarding, breathing rate, and blood pressure
fear of pain or reinjury causes limitations in activity and movement

Question 25

Central sensitization for chronic pain

Answer 25

Developed hypersensitivity to stimuli that causes pain due to repetitive stimulation of afferent C-pain fibers
Frequent stimulation results in stronger fiber memory

Presents with pain, hypersensitivity, tactile allodynia (intense pain from innocuous stimuli), pressure hyperalgesia, limiting movement, and decreased performance and functional independence

Question 26

Muscle involvement pain

Answer 26

Cramping, dull, aching pain

Question 27

Nerve root involvement pain

Answer 27

Sharp, shooting pain

Question 28

Nerve involvement pain

Answer 28

Sharp, bright, lightning- like pain

Question 29

Sympathetic nerve involvement pain

Answer 29

Burning, pressure-like, stinging, aching pain

Question 30

Bone involvement pain

Answer 30

Deep, nagging, dull pain

Question 31

Fracture pain

Answer 31

Sharp, severe, intolerable pain

Question 32

Vasculature involvement pain

Answer 32

Throbbing, diffuse pain

Question 33

Why does applying pressure to skin reduce pain?

Answer 33

Rubbing stimulates A-beta fibers to override pain messages of A-delta and C-fibers leading to decreased pain

Question 34

McGill Pain Questionnaire

Answer 34

Includes body diagrams, pain rating index, and standardized words to describe pain

Question 35

Visual Analog Scale

Answer 35

10 cm line market on paper for patients to mark where the intensity of the pain falls on the line

Question 36

FACES assessment for children (Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale)

Answer 36

Cartoon pictures of faces for patients to identify which one best represents the pain