Pain & Comfort

Pain Perception

The point at which a person can take pain without breaking. This is why we ask a tolerable level of pain.

Pain Threshold

The point at which a stimulus is perceived as painful

Pain Modulation

This is a protective reflex that makes you withdraw or pull away from pain.

Endogenous Analgesia

Naturally occurring analgesic neurotransmitters, think of endorphins

Nociceptive Pain

Most common 3 types: Visceral (Organs) somatic (muscles and joints) Cutaneous (Skin)

Neuropathic Pain

Mostly chronic intense, shooting, burning, peripheral neuropathy or shingles

Factors of Pain

Age, emotion, fatigue, fear, depression, communication

Acute

Rapid onset, short duration ex: Injury or surgery

Chronic

Lasting > 6 months interferes with ADL’s

Intractable Pain

Chronic highly resistant to pain

Pharmacological Interventions

Opioid and non opioid analgesics

Opioid Analgesics

Includes IV, IM, transdermal, nasal, rectal, intra-articular, and epidural forms Patient-controlled analgesia pumps

Non Opioid

NSAIDs (nephrotoxic) Acetaminophen (hepatotoxic)

Adjuvant Analgesic

Around the clock dosing

Non-Pharmacological Interventions

TENS unit, acupuncture, acupressure, massage, humor, relaxation, distraction