Pain Management Lecture Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering pain physiology, types of pain, clinical assessments, and pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions based on NURS250 notes.

Transduction

The first step in pain processing, involving the conversion of thermal, mechanical, or chemical stimuli into electrical energy.

Unmyelinated C fibers

One of two primary types of nociceptors involved in transmitting pain impulses from peripheral nerve fibers to the spinal cord.

Thin A-delta fibers

One of two primary types of nociceptors involved in transmitting pain impulses from peripheral nerve fibers to the spinal cord.

Perception (Pain)

The point at which a client becomes aware of pain, which is shaped by past experiences and future hopes to form a behavioral response.

Modulation

The 'descending system' where neurons in the thalamus and brain stem send signals back down to the spinal cord's dorsal horn to inhibit ascending painful impulses.

Gate Control Theory

A theory proposing that gate mechanisms along the CNS regulate or block pain impulses, emphasizing that pain is emotional and cognitive rather than purely physical.

Reflexive Movements

Automatic motor actions wherein a sensory impulse travels to the spinal cord and immediately triggers a motor neuron response causing withdrawal from a painful stimulus.

Sympathetic Nervous System Response (to Pain)

The physiological response to low-to-moderate intensity pain, resulting in bronchial tube dilation, increased heart rate, peripheral vasoconstriction, elevated blood glucose, cortisol release, diaphoresis, pupil dilation, and decreased GI motility.

Parasympathetic Nervous System Response (to Pain)

The physiological response triggered by severe or deep (visceral) pain, resulting in pallor, nausea and vomiting, decreased heart rate and blood pressure, and rapid, irregular breathing.

Acute Pain

Protective pain of short duration with an identifiable cause and limited tissue damage that resolves after the injured area heals.

Chronic Noncancer Pain

Persistent pain of long duration that varies in intensity, serves no protective purpose, does not always have an identifiable cause, and leads to physical and mental exhaustion.

Nociplastic Pain

Chronic pain with no source of injury or connection to a physical cause that usually responds poorly to treatment and disrupts sleep, work, and quality of life.

Cancer Pain

Pain caused by tumor progression, invasive medical procedures, treatment toxicities, infection, or physical limitations.

Somatic Pain

Well-localized sharp, aching, dull, crushing, or throbbing pain that originates in skin, muscles, bones, joints, or connective tissue.

Visceral Pain

Poorly localized dull, squeezing, pressing, aching, or cramping pain resulting from the activation of pain receptors in organs and hollow viscera.

Neuropathic Pain

Burning, tingling, shooting, shock-like, or painfully numb sensations caused by damaged or malfunctioning nerves from illness or injury.

Sciatica

A form of pain caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, most commonly resulting from a bulging or herniated disk.

Referred Pain

Pain perceived at a site distant from its original source, such as jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder discomfort during a heart attack.

PQRRSTU Mnemonic

A clinical assessment framework representing Palliative/provocative factors, Quality, Relief measures, Region (location), Severity, Timing, and Unable to do.

Nonopioid Analgesics

Pain management medications used for mild-to-moderate pain, including acetaminophen and NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, ketorolac).

Opioid Analgesics

Controlled pain medications including morphine, codeine, hydromorphone, meperidine, fentanyl, oxycodone, and hydrocodone.

Adjuvants (Co-analgesics)

Medications co-administered with primary analgesics to enhance pain control, such as hydroxyzine, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, gabapentin, carbamazepine, and dexamethasone.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

An infusion system allowing clients to self-administer pain medication as needed with minimal overdose risk.

Perineural Local Anesthetic Infusion (On-Q)

A system where a catheter placed near a nerve continuously delivers local anesthesia via a pump over 48 hours.