Understanding Pain and Body Temperature Assessment

Pain

Unpleasant sensory and emotional experience linked to tissue damage.

Nociceptive Pain

Pain from injury or inflammation activating nociceptors.

Nociceptor

Peripheral nerve endings transmitting pain sensations.

Nociception System

System processing noxious stimuli as pain.

Transduction

Cell damage releases chemicals activating nociceptors.

Transmission

Action potential travels from injury to CNS.

Perception

Conscious experience and awareness of pain.

Modulation

Brainstem neurons release neurotransmitters to block pain.

Physiologic Response to Pain

Body's reaction to acute pain varies among patients.

Sympathetic Response

Fight or flight reaction during pain.

Parasympathetic Response

Rest and digest reaction during pain.

Acute Pain

Sudden onset pain linked to specific injury.

Chronic Pain

Persistent pain lasting beyond normal healing time.

Seven Dimensions of Pain

Framework for understanding pain's multifaceted nature.

Physical Dimension

Body's reaction to pain stimulus.

Sensory Dimension

Perception of pain's location and intensity.

Behavioral Dimension

Patient's verbal and non-verbal pain responses.

Sociocultural Dimension

Social context's influence on pain experience.

Cognitive Dimension

Management strategies for pain experience.

Affective Dimension

Emotions and feelings related to pain.

Physiologic Response Symptoms

Includes anxiety, confusion, and altered cognitive function.

Sources of Pain

Includes nociceptive, neuropathic, and inflammatory types.

Classification of Pain

Categorized by location, cause, and duration.

Behavioral Responses to Pain

Includes verbal statements and facial expressions.

Spiritual Dimension

Meaning and purpose of an individual's life.

Sensitivity to Pain

Increased awareness of pain stimuli.

Cultural Response to Pain

Varies based on cultural upbringing and beliefs.

Pain Perception

Individual interpretation of pain experiences.

Avoid Stereotyping

Do not generalize based on cultural backgrounds.

Culturally Competent Nurse

Understand and respect diverse patient values.

Therapeutic Communication

Effective interaction without imposing words on patients.

Pain Assessment

Process of evaluating a patient's pain experience.

Onset of Pain

When the pain began or started.

Duration of Pain

Length of time pain has been experienced.

Characteristics of Pain

Qualities describing the pain experience.

Aggravating Factors

Elements that worsen the pain condition.

Relieving Factors

Elements that alleviate the pain condition.

Visual Analogue Scale

Tool for measuring pain intensity visually.

Localized Pain

Pain felt only at its origin.

Projected Pain

Pain traveling along nerve pathways.

Radiating Pain

Pain extending in multiple directions from origin.

Referred Pain

Pain felt in a different area from origin.

Body Temperature

Balance of heat produced and lost by body.

Surface Temperature

Temperature of skin and subcutaneous tissues.

Core Temperature

Temperature of deep tissues and body cavity.

Methods of Body Heat Loss

Ways the body loses heat to environment.

Radiation

Heat loss to cooler air surrounding the body.

Evaporation

Cooling effect from sweat turning into gas.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact with cooler objects.

Convection

Heat loss via moving air currents over skin.

Factors Affecting Body Temperature

Elements influencing body temperature variations.

Normal Body Temperature

Standard range typically around 37 degrees Celsius.

Fever

Elevated body temperature indicating underlying disease.

Pyrexia

Another term for fever, often used medically.

Hyperthermia

Body temperature above normal range.

Hyperpyrexia

Body temperature of 41°C or higher.

Febrile

Condition characterized by the presence of fever.

Afebrile

Condition without fever.

Intermittent Fever

Fever present for hours, normal rest of day.

Remittent Fever

Temperature remains above normal, fluctuates over 24 hours.

Relapsing Fever

Brief fever episodes followed by normal temperature days.

Constant Fever

Body temperature remains above normal with minimal fluctuation.

Defervescence

Phase of fever where temperature returns to normal.

Onset Phase

Initial phase with chills and cold sensations.

Flush Phase

Phase with warm skin and sweating.

Oral Temperature

Most convenient and accurate temperature measurement route.

Axillary Temperature

Non-invasive but requires proper placement for accuracy.

Rectal Temperature

Most reliable but invasive temperature measurement method.

Tympanic Membrane Temperature

Uses infrared for non-invasive temperature measurement.

Skin/Temporal Artery Temperature

Infrared measurement, may be affected by sweat.

CBC

Complete blood count, common additional exam for fever.

Occult Bacteremia

Hidden bacterial infection, especially in young children.

Febrile Seizures

Seizures in children due to fever, usually harmless.

Red Flags for Fever

Signs indicating serious conditions: neck stiffness, weight loss.

Elderly Fever Considerations

Slight temperature elevations may indicate serious infections.