Deep Dive into Pain Management

These flashcards encompass key concepts discussed in the lecture about pain management, including definitions, types of pain, assessment strategies, and cultural considerations.

Pain

An unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Acute Pain

Pain that is temporary, has a clear cause, and acts as a warning signal.

Chronic Pain

Pain that lasts or returns for more than three months and stops being a helpful signal.

Nociceptive Pain

Pain resulting from normal processing of pain signals due to tissue damage or inflammation.

Neuropathic Pain

Pain caused by actual damage to the nervous system, leading to abnormal processing and incorrect signals.

Phantom Limb Pain

Intense pain experienced in a limb that has been amputated due to incorrect signals from residual nerves.

Referred Pain

Pain felt in an area distant from the source of damage due to shared sensory pathways.

Endorphins

Natural pain modulators produced by the body that bind to opioid receptors to inhibit pain signals.

Chronic Pain Cycle

A self-perpetuating loop where increased pain leads to stress, anxiety, and further pain perception.

PQRST Assessment

A structured assessment tool prompting questions about pain's precipitating factors, quality, region, severity, and timing.

Cultural Stoicism

The tendency in some cultures to endure pain without expressing it, affecting pain management.

Transcultural Treatments

Alternative pain relief methods from various cultures, such as acupuncture and coining.

World Health Organization's Pain Ladder

A three step approach to pain management, starting with non-opioids and escalating to stronger opioids as needed.

Naloxone

A reversal agent for opioid overdose, crucial for safety in opioid management.

Gate Control Theory of Pain

The theory that a 'gate' in the spinal cord controls which pain signals reach the brain, influenced by sensory input.

Subjectivity of Pain

The challenge of quantifying pain, which is inherently a personal experience and often difficult to express.

Systemic Ageism

Unconscious biases and stereotypes about older adults that contribute to their pain being undertreated.