Understanding Pain: Pathways, Assessment, and Management

Nociceptive Pain

Pain from intact nerve fibers stimulated by injury.

Neuropathic Pain

Pain due to nerve lesions or abnormal processing.

Acute Pain

Short-term pain that resolves with healing.

Chronic Pain

Persistent pain lasting beyond normal healing time.

Malignant Pain

Pain associated with cancer and its treatment.

Nonmalignant Pain

Pain not related to cancer, persists after injury.

Breakthrough Pain

Sudden spike in pain despite ongoing treatment.

Developmental Competence

Pain perception varies by age and development stage.

Infant Pain Sensitivity

Preterm infants more sensitive due to neurotransmitter insufficiency.

Aging Adults Pain Perception

Older adults do not feel less pain than younger.

Dementia and Pain

Dementia affects self-reporting, not pain sensation.

Societal beliefs/norms of Gender Differences in Pain

Women more sensitive; men often stoic.

Cultural Influences on Pain

Pain expression influenced by social and cultural factors.

Opioid Epidemic

Public health crisis due to opioid misuse and dependence.

Subjective Pain Data

Pain defined by the individual's personal experience.

Pain Assessment Scale

Tools used to quantify and assess pain severity.

Symptom Analysis

Framework for evaluating pain characteristics and impact.

Initial Pain Assessment Questions

Questions to determine pain location, quality, and triggers.

Acute Pain Behaviors

Includes guarding, grimacing, and vocalizations.

Chronic Pain Behaviors

Adaptation leads to variability in pain responses.

Objective Pain Data

Physical examination findings to support pain assessment.

Pain Management Strategies

Non-pharmacologic approaches prioritized before medication.

Pain and Function Limitations

Pain can restrict daily activities and overall function.

Which of the following best defines nociceptive pain

Pain from injury to intact nerve fibers

Which of the following best describes neuropathic pain

Pain due to nerve lesions or abnormal processing

Which of the following statements about acute pain is TRUE

It is short-term and resolves with healing

Chronic pain is defined as:

Pain that lasts longer than expected healing time

Breakthrough pain is characterized by

A sudden increase in pain despite ongoing treatment

Malignant pain is most commonly associated with:

Cancer and its treatment

Which of the following is TRUE regarding infant pain sensitivity

Preterm infants are more sensitive due to insufficient neurotransmitters

Which of the following is TRUE regarding pain in aging adults

Older adults may underreport pain due to fear of dependency

How does dementia affect pain perception

It does not affect pain perception but makes self-reporting difficult

Gender & Cultural Influences on Pain

Women have stronger hormonal influences on pain perception

Which cultural factor may influence pain expression?

Cultural norms and values shape how individuals express and cope with pain.

Which of the following statements about the opioid epidemic is TRUE

The opioid crisis was declared a Public Health Emergency in 2017

Which of the following is an example of a legally prescribed opioid?

Fentanyl Oxycodone Morphine

What is the most reliable indicator of pain

The patient’s self-report

Which acronym is commonly used for symptom analysis in pain assessment

PQRST

Which of the following questions is NOT typically included in an initial pain assessment?

Questions about past medical history

Which pain scale is most appropriate for a 2-year-old child

FLACC scale

Which pain scale is most appropriate for older adults with dementia?

PAINAD scale

Which of the following is a common acute pain behavior?

Guarding and grimacing

Which of the following is a common chronic pain behavior

Bracing and rubbing

Which of the following is recommended FIRST in pain management

Non-pharmacologic approaches

Which of the following is an example of a non-pharmacologic pain management strategy

such as physical therapy, acupuncture, or cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Pain Pathways & Mechanisms

Stimulation of intact nerve fibers by an external injury

Which of the following is TRUE about the neuropathic pain

It depicts pain that does not follow the typical nociceptive pain process

infant pain sensitivity highlights which key fact

Pain pathways are present at 20 weeks but perception may not occur until 30 weeks

an older adult with pain suggests which common misconception

Older adults may underreport pain due to fears of dependency

comparing male and female pain responses supports which statement

Women have stronger hormonal influences on pain perception

The cultural pain assessment suggests that

Cultural beliefs influence how individuals express and manage pain

the FLACC pain scale is most appropriate for assessing pain in

Infants and nonverbal children

Which pain scale uses facial expressions to represent pain intensity?

FACES scale

The PAINAD scale is specifically designed to assess pain in:

Cognitively impaired older adults

the opioid epidemic highlights which key fact

Opioid overdose deaths have increased dramatically in recent years

non-pharmacologic pain management techniques does NOT include

High-dose opioids