Acute Inflammation, Pain Management, and Related Nursing Concepts

Vocabulary flashcards covering inflammation indicators, diagnostic tests, pain management modalities, and pertinent pharmacologic terms highlighted in the lecture notes.

Edema

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues causing swelling; an objective sign of inflammation.

Erythema

Redness of the skin resulting from capillary dilation, often indicating inflammation or infection.

Pruritus

Itching sensation that provokes the desire to scratch; may accompany allergic reactions or skin irritation.

Purulent Exudate

Thick, yellow-green drainage composed of dead leukocytes, bacteria, and tissue debris, signaling infection.

Tachypnea

Abnormally rapid breathing (usually >20 breaths/min in adults); can be an objective sign of systemic infection or pain.

White Blood Cell (WBC) Count

Laboratory value measuring leukocytes in the blood; elevation (>10,000/mm³) suggests infection or inflammation.

Wound Culture

Laboratory test in which a swabbed specimen from a lesion is grown to identify causative microorganisms.

Susceptibility Test

Laboratory procedure that determines which antibiotics are most effective against an identified bacterium.

Fentanyl Epidural Analgesia

Continuous infusion of the opioid fentanyl via an epidural catheter to relieve postoperative pain.

Epidural Catheter

A flexible tube placed in the epidural space of the spine for the delivery of analgesics or anesthetics.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, commonly in the legs, causing pain, swelling, and risk of embolism.

Cardinal Signs of Inflammation

Classical local manifestations—redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function—indicating tissue inflammation.

Morphine

A potent opioid analgesic frequently prescribed post-surgically for moderate to severe pain control.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

Non-opioid analgesic and antipyretic agent used for mild to moderate pain and fever reduction.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

Drug delivery system allowing patients to self-administer preset doses of analgesics via a computerized pump.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

Non-invasive therapy using surface electrodes to deliver mild electrical impulses that modulate pain perception.

Venous Access Device

Catheter or port inserted into a vein for long-term administration of medication, fluids, or nutrition.

Intrathecal Delivery System

Implanted pump that administers medication directly into the cerebrospinal fluid for chronic pain control.

Gate Control Theory of Pain

Concept stating that pain signals can be altered or blocked within the spinal cord by non-painful stimuli or descending pathways.

Objective Assessment Findings

Measurable or observable signs—such as vital signs, edema, or wound appearance—documented during a physical examination.