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Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key non-pharmacological therapies, assessment tools, and concepts discussed in the pain-management lecture.
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Relaxation
Intentional deep-breathing and muscle-release exercises that lower anxiety, loosen tight muscles, distract from pain, and boost medication efficacy.
Imagery
Mental creation of calming scenes (e.g., beach, ‘happy place’) to shift attention away from painful sensations.
Distraction
Any activity (music, TV, reading, conversation, video games) that diverts sensory focus and diminishes pain perception.
Biofeedback
Technique that uses monitoring devices to teach patients to control physiological responses (muscle tension, heart rate) linked to pain.
Therapy Animals
Trained dogs or other animals that provide comfort, lower anxiety, and sometimes detect physiological changes related to pain or illness.
Yoga
Mind-body practice combining postures, controlled breathing, and meditation to improve flexibility, circulation, and pain tolerance.
Reiki
Energy-field therapy in which a practitioner’s hands channel ‘healing energy’ to rebalance and alleviate pain.
Meditation
Focused awareness or mindfulness exercise that produces deep relaxation and alters pain perception.
Aromatherapy
Use of soothing scents (e.g., lavender) via oils, candles, or incense to promote relaxation and comfort.
Massage
Manual manipulation of soft tissues, often with lubricant, to relax stiff muscles, enhance circulation, and reduce pain.
Heat Therapy
Application of warm moist or dry heat to relax muscles, improve blood flow, and lessen inflammation after the first 48 h.
Cold Therapy (Ice)
Intermittent or continuous cooling for the first 24–48 h post-injury to numb pain and decrease swelling.
Acupuncture
Insertion of fine needles at specific points to redirect pain signals and release endorphins.
Acupressure
Finger or device pressure on acupuncture points to achieve pain relief without needles.
Vibration Therapy
Use of devices (e.g., Theragun) that deliver rapid percussive vibrations to loosen tense muscles and ease discomfort.
Exercise
Planned physical activity that strengthens muscles, improves circulation, and supports recovery after injury or surgery.
Range of Motion (ROM)
Active or passive joint movements prescribed to prevent stiffness and maintain function following immobilization or surgery.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)
Portable device that sends mild electrical impulses through skin electrodes to block or modulate pain signals, often for neuropathic or musculoskeletal pain.
Physical Therapy
Professional rehabilitation services (exercise, heat, TENS, education) aimed at restoring movement and reducing pain.
Pain Assessment – W.U.T.S.U.P.
Framework covering Where, How it feels, Treatment tried, Severity, Usefulness of previous data, and Patient perception.
Pain Goal
Patient-chosen comfort target (number or functional ability) guiding individualized pain-management plans.
Fear of Narcotics
Common barrier involving worries about addiction, side-effects, or loss of control that must be addressed through education.
Numeric Pain Scale (0-10)
Gold-standard self-report tool categorizing pain as mild (0-3), moderate (4-6), or severe (7-10).
Faces Pain Scale
Series of facial expressions that help children or non-verbal adults indicate pain intensity.
Dementia (PAINAD) Scale
Observational tool scoring breathing, vocalization, facial expression, body language, and consolability to assess pain in cognitively impaired patients.
Neuropathic Pain
Pain arising from nerve injury; often described as burning, shooting, or tingling and treated with adjuvants like gabapentin.
Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)
Pump that lets patients self-administer preset opioid doses, maintaining steady relief while preventing overdose.
IV-to-Oral Transition
Step-down approach converting fast-acting IV opioids to equivalent oral doses before discharge.
Sickle Cell Crisis
Acute vaso-occlusive episode causing severe generalized pain that typically requires high-dose opioids and supportive care.
Therapeutic Relationship
Trust-based nurse–patient partnership emphasizing listening, empathy, and shared decision-making in pain control.
Advocacy
Nurse’s duty to represent patient preferences, remove barriers, and coordinate multidisciplinary pain care.
Timing of Pain
Pattern information (onset, duration, frequency, triggers) used to differentiate constant, intermittent, or activity-related pain.
Associated Symptoms
Additional findings (nausea, dizziness, swelling) that help identify pain etiology and required interventions.
Severity Descriptors
Patient words such as sharp, dull, throbbing, pressure, popping, or burning that guide differential diagnosis.
History Taking
Collection of medical, surgical, medication, allergy, substance-use, and lifestyle data that influences pain management choices.
Barriers to Pain Management
Factors like cultural beliefs, age, cognition, communication limits, or staff bias that hinder adequate relief.
Adjuvant Analgesics
Non-opioid drugs (e.g., anticonvulsants, antidepressants, muscle relaxants) added to enhance pain control.
Patient Perception
Individual meaning and tolerance of pain that shapes response to interventions and satisfaction with care.
Functional Pain Assessment
Evaluation of how pain affects mobility, sleep, mood, and activities of daily living to set realistic goals.