Pain and Analgesics Lecture Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms related to pain mechanisms, types of pain, pain management medications, and gastrointestinal function and disorders.

A-delta fibers

Myelinated, large fibers that transmit sharp and rapid pain signals.

C fibers

Unmyelinated, small fibers that transmit dull, slow pain signals.

Endorphins

Endogenous opioids produced in the brain that provide pain relief and feelings of exhilaration.

Dynorphins

Powerful endogenous opioids that can impede pain signals.

Placebo effect

Physiological effects that arise from cognitive expectations rather than pharmacological action.

Chronic pain syndrome

Pain lasting at least 3 to 6 months, often disproportionate to observable injury.

Nociplastic pain

Pain arising from altered nociception without clear tissue damage.

Threshold

The lowest intensity of a stimulus that is perceived as painful.

Tolerance

The maximum intensity of pain a person can endure.

Pain modulation

The process of increasing or decreasing pain perception through various pathways.

Neuropathic pain

Pain caused by lesions or dysfunction in the nervous system.

Acute pain

Pain that typically follows a clear event or injury, resolving with treatment.

Chronic pain

Persistent pain that lasts beyond normal healing or has no identifiable cause.

Gastrointestinal tract

Organ system responsible for ingestion, digestion, absorption, and elimination of waste.

Vomiting (emesis)

Forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.

Diarrhea

Presence of loose, watery stools indicative of gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Constipation

Infrequent or difficult defecation, often specified by hard stools.

Gastroparesis

Delayed gastric emptying without a physical obstruction.

Dysphagia

Difficulty swallowing due to mechanical or functional obstructions.

Nociceptors

Pain receptors that respond to potentially harmful stimuli.

Pain perception

The conscious awareness and interpretation of pain signals.

Acetaminophen

An analgesic and antipyretic medication lacking anti-inflammatory properties.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Medications that reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase.

Opioids

Analgesic medications derived from opium, used for moderate to severe pain.

Respiratory depression

Decreased respiratory rate and effort often caused by opioid use.

Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)

Pain management system allowing patients to self-administer analgesic doses.

Withdrawal syndrome

Symptoms that appear when opioids are discontinued after prolonged use.

Adjuvant therapy

Additional medications used to enhance pain relief from primary analgesics.

Opioid antagonists

Drugs that block the effects of opioids, used primarily to reverse overdose.

Gabapentin

An anticonvulsant medication used as an adjuvant for neuropathic pain.

Serotonin antagonists

Medications that block serotonin receptors to prevent nausea and vomiting.

Stool softeners

Medications that prevent constipation by increasing water content in stools.

Osmotic laxatives

Laxatives that draw water into the intestine to induce bowel movements.