Physiological Concepts: Pain, Vital Signs, Hygiene, and Sleep Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering pain physiology, pain assessment tools, non-pharmacological and pharmacological pain interventions, vital signs parameters and assessment techniques, hygiene considerations, and sleep physiology and disorders.

Pain

A complex physiological phenomenon occurring when a stimulus causes electrical impulses to travel from the periphery to the spinal cord, subjectively linked to individual physical, emotional, and psychological experiences.

Biopsychosocial Model of Pain

A model stating that the experience of pain is formed by the interplay of three distinct categories: Biological, Psychological, and Social factors.

Acute Pain

Pain that has a sudden or slow onset, an anticipated end, and lasts less than $3$ months at its longest.

Chronic Pain

Constant or recurring pain with no anticipated end, lasting more than $3$ months.

Nociceptive Pain

Pain resulting from the activation of nociceptors on the skin or tissues, commonly characterized as aching or throbbing.

Somatic Pain

A type of nociceptive pain originating in the skin, bones, joints, connective tissues, or muscles.

Visceral Pain

A type of nociceptive pain originating in internal organs or other internal locations within the body.

Cutaneous Pain

A type of nociceptive pain located specifically in the skin or subcutaneous tissue.

Neuropathic Pain

Nerve pain characterized by intense, shooting, burning, pins-and-needles sensations, or severe itching.

Phantom Pain

A form of neuropathic pain experienced in a limb that has been lost or amputated, which does not respond to standard pain medications alone.

PQRST Pain Assessment Mnemonic

A structured pain assessment method where P stands for Precipitating cause, Q for Quality, R for Region, S for Severity, and T for Timing.

Wong-Baker FACES Scale

A subjective pain rating scale using facial illustrations, appropriate for clients aged $3$ years and older, as well as individuals with disabilities or children who cannot articulate their pain level.

FLACC Scale

An objective observational pain assessment tool scoring Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability from $0$ to $2$ each (total score $0$ to $10$), typically used for clients aged $2$ months to $7$ years or cognitively disabled clients.

CRIES Scale

An observational pain assessment scale for infants born at $38$ weeks or later that evaluates Crying, Requires Oxygen ($SaO_2 < 95\%$), Increased vital signs (BP/HR), Expression, and Sleeplessness.

Pain Threshold

The minimum point of stimulus at which the human body first perceives or feels pain.

Pain Tolerance

The maximum intensity or amount of painful stimulus that an individual is willing or able to accept.

TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation)

A non-pharmacological pain intervention delivering low-voltage electrical pulses to relax muscles and nerves to treat muscular and neuropathic pain.

ESWL (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy)

A non-pharmacological procedure delivering shock waves and higher electrical pulses to treat deeper internal injuries or conditions such as kidney stones.

Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA)

An IV or epidural drug delivery system permitting ONLY the patient to self-administer bolus doses of narcotic/opioid analgesics by pressing a pump button, requiring continuous respiratory and capnography monitoring.

Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP)

The maximum amount of pressure exerted on the arterial walls when the heart contracts and forces blood into the aorta, represented as the top number in a BP reading.

Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP)

The minimum amount of pressure exerted on the arterial walls when the heart is relaxed, represented as the bottom number in a BP reading.

Preload

The amount of blood present in the heart's ventricles right before contraction occurs.

Afterload

The amount of resistance or force of contraction that the heart must generate to eject blood into the systemic circulation.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The total volume of blood pumped into the systemic circulation by the heart in $1$ minute, calculated as Stroke Volume multiplied by Heart Rate ($CO = SV \times HR$).

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)

The amount of constriction or dilation of the arteries and blood vessels affecting resistance to blood flow.

Korotkoff Sounds

Auscultatory sounds listened for during manual blood pressure measurement; the first sound heard indicates systolic pressure, and the complete cessation of sound indicates diastolic pressure.

White Coat Syndrome

An elevation in a patient's blood pressure triggered by internal stress or anxiety experienced specifically within a healthcare setting or doctor's office.

Hypertension

An elevation of blood pressure above the expected reference range ($> 120/80\,mmHg$), requiring two elevated readings on two separate occasions for official diagnosis.

Hypotension

A blood pressure reading lower than the expected reference range, defined as a Systolic BP less than $90\,mmHg$ or a Diastolic BP less than $60\,mmHg$.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A form of low blood pressure defined as a drop in SBP greater than $20\,mmHg$ or DBP greater than $10\,mmHg$ within $1$ minute of changing positions (lying, sitting, standing).

Tachycardia

An elevated heart rate exceeding $100\,bpm$ in adults.

Bradycardia

A decreased heart rate lower than $60\,bpm$ in adults.

Apical Pulse

A central pulse point evaluated by auscultating at the apex of the heart (located at the left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line) for $1$ full minute.

Oxygen Saturation ($SpO_2$)

The estimated percentage of oxygen bound to hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells, indicating how effectively oxygen is transported to body tissues; expected normal is $95\%$ and above.

Eupnea

Normal, unlabored breathing at a rate of $12$ to $20$ breaths per minute in an adult.

Tachypnea

An elevated respiratory rate greater than $20$ breaths per minute.

Bradypnea

A decreased respiratory rate lower than $12$ breaths per minute.

Apnea

The temporary or permanent cessation of breathing.

Endocarditis

An inflammation of the inner layer of the heart tissue (endocardium) that can develop from severe dental caries and oral bacterial infections entering the bloodstream.

Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG)

An antiseptic, antimicrobial cleansing agent or pre-moistened cloth used to prevent infection; it must never be used on the face.

Phimosis

A condition characterized by the inability to retract the foreskin over the glans penis.

Paraphimosis

A medical emergency occurring when retracted foreskin becomes trapped behind the glans penis and cannot be returned to its normal position.

Circadian Rhythm

The body's internal $24$-hour biological clock regulated by brain structures like the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and pineal gland, governing sleep-wake patterns.

Sleep-Wake Homeostasis

An internal neurobiological drive that regulates the intensity and accumulation of sleep pressure based on the duration of prior wakefulness.

Insomnia

A common sleep disorder characterized by an ongoing inability to fall asleep or stay asleep despite having adequate opportunity for sleep.

Narcolepsy

A chronic neurological sleep disorder marked by excessive daytime sleepiness and sudden, uncontrollable sleep attacks, often accompanied by cataplexy.

Hypersomnia

A disorder characterized by persistent, excessive daytime fatigue and sleepiness despite obtaining adequate or prolonged nighttime sleep.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

A neurological movement disorder causing an irresistible urge to move the legs, typically occurring during periods of inactivity or sleep.