Pharmacology of Analgesia I Flashcards
Analgesia definition
The absence of pain sensation
Distress definition
Physical or emotional display of physical or mental strain
Hyperesthesia definition
Increased sensitivity to non-noxious stimuli
Nociceptor definition
Receptor that translates tissue damage to pain perception
Basic structure of afferent pathway is…
A 3-neuron chain
- Peripheral fiber
- Spinal tract
- Brain
Transduction definition (nociception)
Translation of noxious stimuli into electrical activity at peripheral nociceptor
Transmission definition (nociception)
Movement of the nerve impulse through nervous system
Modulation definition (nociception)
Change of pain perception by the efferent analgesic system
The order of nociception:
Surgical pain –> ____–>____–>___–>___
Surgical pain –> Transduction –> Transmission –> Modulation –> Brain
Name three consequences of pain (7)
- Decreased quality of life
- Increased risk of infection
- Delayed wound healing
- Reduced food & water intake
- Decreased sleep (quantity, quality)
- Behavior changes
- Mobility changes
Name three ways to recognize pain (7)
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased HR
- Increased respiratory rate
- Stress leukogram (CBC)
- Vocalization
- Hiding
- Posture changes
Step 1 of pain scoring: Non-interactive behavior scoring
Name grades 0-4
Grade 0
- No pain or hint of discomfort
Grade 1
- Seems in comfortable position in room
Grade 2
- Shifting positions but quiet
Grade 3
- Restless, anxious, & unsettled
Grade 4
- Vocalizing/becomes stiff/guards with body parts or thrashing
Step 2 of pain scoring: Interactive behavior
Name grades 0-4
Grade 0
- Shows greeting behavior/wagging tail/approachable
Grade 1
- Curious/approaches but hesitates with movement
Grade 2
- Hesitates to approach/restricted interaction/not moving comfortably
Grade 3
- Wary/slow movement usually away from person/guarding
Grade 4
- Unaware of surroundings/not moving/vocalizing
Step 3: Palpation/touching patient
Name grades 0-4
Grade 0
- Can palpate or touch; no negative response
Grade 1
- Can palpate or touch; no resistance/may look or sniff area
Grade 2
- May slightly object to gentle palpation/may lick lips or affected area/holds body still
Grade 3
- Withdraws immediately/mild vocalization/tense or guarding/stiffness
Grade 4
- Tries to escape/bites/grinds teeth or grimaces/ears are back/hides affected area/loud vocalization
Strategy for pain management
Preemptive analgesia (3)
- Begin analgesic techniques before the patient is exposed to noxious stimuli
- Minimizes duration & intensity of animal discomfort
- Minimizes the amount of drug needed to control pain; decreases anesthesia drugs