Nursing Care: Pain Assessment, Management, Patient Advocacy, and Sleep Hygiene

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from Chapter 1 through Chapter 8, including pain assessment types, pharmacological classifications, nursing advocacy, health literacy, and sleep disorders.

Numeric Pain Rating Scale

A self-report pain assessment tool where $0$ represents no pain and $10$ represents the worst pain ever experienced.

Subjective Data (Pain)

Information gathered from the patient's own verbal report, including their pain scale rating, descriptions of location, onset, and aggravating or relieving factors.

Objective Data (Pain)

Measurable and observable physical indicators of pain noted by the nurse, such as vital sign elevations, facial grimacing, jaw clenching, or gripping side rails.

Acute Pain

Sudden, short-term pain typically linked to a specific injury, surgery, or acute illness.

Chronic Pain

Persistent pain that lasts for an extended duration, typically defined as $3$\,months or longer.

Acetaminophen

A non-opioid analgesic medication commonly prescribed PRN for mild-to-moderate pain; requires monitoring of liver function.

Ketorolac

An intravenous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication used for acute pain management; requires monitoring for gastrointestinal side effects such as stomach ulcers.

Hydromorphone

A potent opioid analgesic medication used for severe pain that requires close monitoring for side effects including respiratory depression and constipation.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

An infusion system with a timed lockout mechanism that allows only the patient to push a button to deliver preset doses of pain medication.

Patient Advocacy

The nursing responsibility of removing barriers so patients can understand their care, participate in decisions, maintain dignity, and make informed choices.

Health Literacy

An individual's capacity to comprehend and process healthcare information necessary to make appropriate health decisions.

Qualified Medical Interpreter

A professional translator required for medical interactions when patients have limited English proficiency, preventing reliance on family members for medical interpretation.

Sleep Hygiene

A set of daily practices and environmental conditions—such as keeping the room dark, quiet, and cool, and avoiding pre-bedtime caffeine or screens—that promote regular sleep.

Sleep Apnea

A sleep disorder characterized by recurrent apneic episodes where breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, often accompanied by loud snoring or gasping.

Narcolepsy

A chronic neurological sleep disorder marked by the brain's inability to regulate sleep-wake cycles, leading to sudden sleep attacks that transition directly into REM sleep.

Patient Autonomy

The right of a patient to make independent, informed decisions regarding their own medical treatment and care preferences.