MDC 2356
BASIC CARE AND COMFORT
[RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY]
MODULE 1
LECTURE NOTES TEST 1
,MDC 1
Providing Basic Care and Comfort
Abraham Maslow – theorized that a person could not meet the needs of
love and belonging and self-esteem without meeting basic physiological
needs.
Basic physiological needs
• Air
• Food
• Water
• Temperature regulation
• Elimination
• Rest
• Sex
• Physical activity
• Blood flow (perfusion) is necessary to meet other basic needs
Pain
Pain assessment – plays a role in the client’s rest and comfort needs and
in the area of anxiety related to illness recovery. (5th vital sign)
S/S of pain
• Grimacing
• Guarding
• Verbalization
, • Holding/touching the area
• Descriptive words (mild, sharp, aching, constant)
Pain Types
• Cutaneous pain – arises from burning your skin on a hot iron
or touching a hot pan. (skin or subcutaneous pain)
• Visceral pain – caused from deep internal disorders such as
menstrual cramps, labor pains, or GI infections. (stomach or
intestines)
• Deep somatic pain – originates from ligaments, joints,
muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and bones. (fractures or
sprains)
• Referred pain – occurs in an area distant from the site of
origin. (pain from a heart attack might be felt in the left arm or
jaw)
• Phantom pain – pain that is perceived from an area that has
been surgically or traumatically removed. (pain from an
amputated limb)
• Neuropathic pain – results from an injury of one or more
nerves.
• Acute pain – short duration, rapid onset, and associated with
some kind of injury.
• Chronic pain – lasts 6 months or more and interferes with
activities of daily living. Vital signs are no longer affected
because the body has become accustomed to the additional
stimuli.
Nociceptive pain- arises from damage to or inflammation of tissue, which
is a noxious stimulus that triggers the pain receptors called nociceptors
and causes pain.
Physiology of Nociceptive Pain
Transduction-the conversion of painful stimuli to an electrical impulse
through peripheral nerve fibers.
Transmission-occurs as the electrical impulse travels along the nerve
fibers, where neurotransmitters regulate it.
Pain Threshold-the point at which a person feels pain.
Pain Tolerance- amount of pain a person is willing to bear.
Perception or awareness of pain-occurs in various areas of the brain,
with influences from thought and emotional processes.
Modulation- occurs in the spinal cord, causing muscles to contract
reflexively, moving the body away from painful stimuli.
Nonpharmacological Pain Management Strategies
• Cognitive Behavioral measures- changing the way the
client perceives pain
• Distraction-ambulation, deep breathing, visitors, television
BASIC CARE AND COMFORT
[RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY]
MODULE 1
LECTURE NOTES TEST 1
,MDC 1
Providing Basic Care and Comfort
Abraham Maslow – theorized that a person could not meet the needs of
love and belonging and self-esteem without meeting basic physiological
needs.
Basic physiological needs
• Air
• Food
• Water
• Temperature regulation
• Elimination
• Rest
• Sex
• Physical activity
• Blood flow (perfusion) is necessary to meet other basic needs
Pain
Pain assessment – plays a role in the client’s rest and comfort needs and
in the area of anxiety related to illness recovery. (5th vital sign)
S/S of pain
• Grimacing
• Guarding
• Verbalization
, • Holding/touching the area
• Descriptive words (mild, sharp, aching, constant)
Pain Types
• Cutaneous pain – arises from burning your skin on a hot iron
or touching a hot pan. (skin or subcutaneous pain)
• Visceral pain – caused from deep internal disorders such as
menstrual cramps, labor pains, or GI infections. (stomach or
intestines)
• Deep somatic pain – originates from ligaments, joints,
muscles, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, and bones. (fractures or
sprains)
• Referred pain – occurs in an area distant from the site of
origin. (pain from a heart attack might be felt in the left arm or
jaw)
• Phantom pain – pain that is perceived from an area that has
been surgically or traumatically removed. (pain from an
amputated limb)
• Neuropathic pain – results from an injury of one or more
nerves.
• Acute pain – short duration, rapid onset, and associated with
some kind of injury.
• Chronic pain – lasts 6 months or more and interferes with
activities of daily living. Vital signs are no longer affected
because the body has become accustomed to the additional
stimuli.
Nociceptive pain- arises from damage to or inflammation of tissue, which
is a noxious stimulus that triggers the pain receptors called nociceptors
and causes pain.
Physiology of Nociceptive Pain
Transduction-the conversion of painful stimuli to an electrical impulse
through peripheral nerve fibers.
Transmission-occurs as the electrical impulse travels along the nerve
fibers, where neurotransmitters regulate it.
Pain Threshold-the point at which a person feels pain.
Pain Tolerance- amount of pain a person is willing to bear.
Perception or awareness of pain-occurs in various areas of the brain,
with influences from thought and emotional processes.
Modulation- occurs in the spinal cord, causing muscles to contract
reflexively, moving the body away from painful stimuli.
Nonpharmacological Pain Management Strategies
• Cognitive Behavioral measures- changing the way the
client perceives pain
• Distraction-ambulation, deep breathing, visitors, television
