Chapter Pain, Temperature, Sleep, and Sensory Function

Vocabulary flashcards for NCLEX review on pain, temperature regulation, sleep disorders, and sensory dysfunction.

Nociception

The process of feeling pain.

Transduction

The activation of pain receptors (nociceptors) by harmful stimuli.

Transmission

The pain signal travels to the spinal cord and up to the brain.

Fast Fibers (A-delta)

Transmit sharp, localized fast pain sensations.

Slow Fibers (C fibers)

Transmit dull, poorly localized pain.

Perception

The conscious awareness of pain in the brain.

Modulation

The body's ability to increase or decrease pain signals before, during, or after perception.

Endorphins

A type of endogenous opioid that binds with opioid receptors to inhibit pain impulses.

Acute Pain

A protective, transient pain that begins suddenly and is relieved after the stimulus is removed.

Somatic Pain

Arises from the skin, joints, and muscles; can be sharp or dull.

Visceral Pain

Arises from internal organs; often feels like aching, gnawing, or cramping and is poorly localized.

Referred Pain

Pain that is felt in an area distant from its point of origin; this occurs because the area of referred pain is supplied by the same spinal segment as the actual site.

Chronic Pain

Pain that lasts for an extended period, usually defined as at least 3 to 6 months.

Neuropathic Pain

Pain resulting from dysfunction that causes long-term changes in pain pathway structures. It is often described as burning, shooting, shocklike, or tingling.

Hypothalamus

The control center responsible for temperature regulation.

Fever

A temporary resetting of the hypothalamic thermostat to a higher level.

Hyperthermia

An elevation in body temperature without an increase in the hypothalamic set point.

Heat Exhaustion

Characterized by profound vasodilation and profuse sweating resulting from prolonged high core or environmental temperatures.

Heat Stroke

A potentially lethal failure of heat loss mechanisms with a core temperature above 40° C (104° F).

Hypothermia

A body temperature below 35° C (95° F).

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA)

Results from total or partial upper airway obstruction during sleep.

Narcolepsy

A primary hypersomnia with disruptions of sleep-wake cycles.

Myopia

Nearsightedness.

Hyperopia

Farsightedness.

Astigmatism

Caused by an unequal curvature of the cornea.

Cataract

A cloudy area in the lens.

Glaucoma

High intraocular pressure.

Presbyopia

The age-related loss of accommodation (ability to focus).

Conductive Hearing Loss

Occurs when there is impaired sound conduction from the outer to the inner ear.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

Caused by impairment of the organ of Corti or its central connections.

Presbycusis

The specific term for age-related hearing loss.

Proprioception

The awareness of the position of the body and its parts.

Nociceptors

Pain receptors that are activated by harmful stimuli.

Apneic Episodes

Cessation of breathing lasting more than 10 seconds.

Hypocretin

Also known as orexin, a neuropeptide involved in regulating wakefulness and sleep.

Thermoregulation

The process of maintaining core body temperature.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels.

Orexin

Also known as hypocretin, a neuropeptide involved in regulating wakefulness and sleep.

Interferon

A protein produced by cells that inhibits viral replication.

Accommodation

The ability of the eye to change its focus from distant to near objects (and vice versa).