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Four steps in the pain process - Ans 1) Transmission occurs- stimuli turns into electrical energy
via a nociceptor
2) Transduction- Movement of neurons through the nervous system and to the spinal cord
3) Modulation- the first order neurons meet up with 2nd order neurons
4) Perception- 2nd order neurons meet up with 3rd order neurons and the brain releases
a cerebral cortical response that allows individual to experience the pain
What are the categories of pain? - Ans Nociceptive, Neuropathic, Psychogenic, and
Referred pain
This is pain that results from damage done to body tissues. There are three types:
- Cutaneous: superficial (EX. paper cut)
- Somatic: pain is aching, throbbing, or dull; it
is localized (EX. arthritis)
- Visceral: organ pain; poorly localized due to organs not having pain receptors - Ans
Define Nociceptive pain
Define Neuropathic pain - Ans This is burning pain, occurs from nerve damage (EX. amputation)
,Define Psychogenic pain - Ans The cause can not be identified. The pain is in the mind.
What is Referred pain? - Ans This when the pain that is felt is away from the site of
damage. Note that organs do not have pain receptors so often referred pain is felt relating
to organ damage.
What is acute pain? - Ans Acute means short in duration. It typically has a rapid onset; varies
in intensity and duration.
What is chronic pain? - Ans Chronic pain is long-termed. It lasts 6 months or greater. Most
patients experiencing chronic pain learn to deal with it and may not complain as frequently.
Define pain threshold - Ans Pain threshold is the point that a stimuli results in discomfort. It is
the same for most people.
Define pain tolerance - Ans Pain tolerance is how well and individual handles pain.
Tolerance can be lowered with repeated exposure to pain, fatigue, anger, boredom, and
sleep deprivation.
What are the three most popular pain assessment scales? - Ans FLACC
- face, legs, activity, crying, consolability
- good for infants, non-verbal, and sleeping patients
Numeric Rating Scale
Wong Baker Faces Scale
OLDCARTS - Ans This is a popular assessment tool for collecting subjective data
, onset, location, duration, characteristics, aggravating factors, relieving factors, timing, severity
How often do we assess pain? - Ans On admission
Every shift assessment
Change is patient's status
Within 30min of administering parenteral medication
Within 1hour of administering oral medication
Every office visit (annual or limited ex)
What are two types of non-opioid analgesics? - Ans Acetaminophen (EX. Tylenol)
- for healthy liver, no more than 4,000mg a
day; but recommended limit of 3,000mg daily
NSAIDS (EX. Ibueprophin, Asprin)
-blocks production of prostaglandins
-anti-inflammatory
-give with food
*give these for mild to moderate pain
Opioids - Ans Popular examples of opioid analgesics include: Morphine Sulfate, Codeine,
Fentanyl, Hydromorphone, Hydrocodone, and Oxycodone
-side effects include nausea, sedation, constipation, orthostatic hypotension,
uri nary retention, and sedation