Week 4 - Types of Pain

Question 1

What are the 2 types of pain?

Answer 1

• acute and chronic

Question 2

What is acute pain? (2)

Answer 2

• abrupt, sudden onset
• SNS response (HR, BP, diaphoresis)

Question 3

What is the cause of acute pain? (5)

Answer 3

• cause/source can be determined
• time-limited (brief) - dissipates with time
• variations in intensity, frequency, and duration of pain between individuals
• can be associated with acute anxiety
• hope of recovery

Question 4

What is chronic pain? (3)

Answer 4

• ongoing pain
• > 3-6 months to years
• varies in intensity, frequency, and duration

Question 5

What is the cause of chronic pain?

Answer 5

• difficult to pinpoint

Question 6

What are the effects of chronic pain? (4)

Answer 6

• can cause depression, anxiety
• behaviour is adapted to modify pain
• sense of hopelessness and helplessness
• Interferes with quality of life/ADL

Question 7

Can people with chronic pain also experience acute pain at the same time?

Answer 7

yes

Question 8

What are clinical manifestations of normal acute pain? (3)

Answer 8

• mild to moderate severity
• should be able to identify how much they can tolerate
• consider medications for pain before painful procedures

Question 9

What should you assess in someone experiencing normal acute pain?

Answer 9

• assess for nausea, vomiting, and pruritis (itching)

Question 10

What are the clinical manifestations of abnormal acute pain? (3)

Answer 10

• increased HR and/or BP
• may have hypoventilation or hypoxia
• may report joint stiffness

Question 11

What are the clinical manifestations of normal chronic pain? (5)

Answer 11

• pain present for extended time after acute phase
• should be manageable
• should be able to participate in ADLs
• social supports in place
• financial and psychological supports in place

Question 12

What are the clinical manifestations of abnormal chronic pain? (7)

Answer 12

• fear, anxiety, depression
• isolation
• limited mobility
• family distressed
• decreased quality of life
• hard time completing tasks
• reports increased level of fatigue

Question 13

What are the clinical manifestations of normal neuropathic pain? (2)

Answer 13

• may have increased or decreased sensation over affected area
• may have increased neuropathic pain during night

Question 14

What should you assess in someone with normal neuropathic pain?

Answer 14

inspect skin and tissue for colour, warmth, deformity or masses

Question 15

What are the clinical manifestations of abnormal neuropathic pain? (4)

Answer 15

• lesions
• open wounds
• change in hair distribution
• tissue damage