deWit Medical Surgical Nursing Chapter | Questions and Answers with complete solution

The nursing student is studying the gate control theory of pain. The student correctly identifies the gate control theory of pain as having what characteristic? 1 The gate control theory suggests that when a large volume of nonpainful stimuli are competing for the gate, pain impulses may be blocked. 2 The gate control theory suggests that all pain impulses are transmitted up the spinal cord. 3 The gate control theory states that pain impulses can be transmitted only if the spinal cord "gate" is open at all times. 4 The gate control theory states that pain will not be perceived when there is no observable tissue damage. - ANS 1 Other nonpainful stimuli may treat pain by blocking the pain impulse according to the gate control theory. Examples include massage and electrical nerve stimulation. Pain impulses must be of sufficient number and strength to be transmitted. Chronic pain, for example, has no clear explanation. It may result from the "gate" remaining open at all times. When considering factors that may be contributing to a patient's pain, the nurse correctly identifies which factor as being the least likely to affect a patient's perception of pain? 1 Cultural background 2 Anxiety level 3 Socioeconomic status 4 Belief of what the pain could mean - ANS 3