NURSING 6521 DP Week 8 Exam Q&A 202

Initial Post Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), previously termed reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome is a chronic neuropathic pain usually associated with a limb injury. There are two forms of CRPS. CRPS-I is associated with injury but no apparent nerve injury. However, CRPS-II shows evidence of nerve injury. CRPS is distinguished from other chronic pain disorders by signs of autonomic and inflammatory changes in the pain region of the injured nerve (McCance & Huether, 2018). Autonomic symptoms include changes in skin color, temperature, sweating, alterations in hair and growth of the affected limb. Chronic CRPS is more often characterized by a cold CRPS presentation which includes cold, dusky, sweaty extremity. Peripheral and central sensitization contributes to the pain syndrome; however, the mechanisms are unknown. Unfortunately, there is no single laboratory test to diagnose CRPS. Healthcare providers diagnose it based on patien