low back pain

Question 1

Risk factors of low back pain

Answer 1

• Obesity
• Cigarette smoking
• Poor posture
• Stress
• Poor physical condition
• Poor sleeping position
• Occupations that require heavy lifting

Question 2

Causes of low back pain

Answer 2

Spinal degeneration
Spinal stenosis
Muscle spasm

Question 3

Clinical manifestations of low back pain

Answer 3

Acute pain
Muscle spasms
Nerve root involvement (radicular pain)

Question 4

Back pain lasting less than 4 weeks

Answer 4

acute back pain

Question 5

Back pain lasting 4-12 weeks

Answer 5

subacute back pain

Question 6

Back pain lasting more than 12 weeks

Answer 6

chronic back pain

Question 7

How to dx low back pain

Answer 7

Diagnosis based on clinical S/S, duration of pain, underlying cause, and presence or absence of nerve root involvement

Question 8

Diagnostic tests low-back pain

Answer 8

History & Physical
CT scan
Diskogram
MRI
Electromyography (EMG)
Nerve conduction study
Bone Scan
Myelogram
X-rays

Question 9

Non-pharm therapy for low back pain

Answer 9

Exercise/PT
Superficial heat
Acupuncture
Massage therapy
Meditation/yoga

Question 10

Pharmacological treatments for low back pain

Answer 10

NSAID
Opioids
Corticosteroids
Tricyclic antidepressants
Benzodiazepines
local anesthetics
anticonvulsants

Question 11

Treatment for low back pain

Answer 11

Interventional - nerve blocks
TENS
Back units

Question 12

VS of someone in pain

Answer 12

Tachycardia
Hypertension
Tachypnea

Question 13

Priority nursing actions for Low back pain

Answer 13

Increase fluid intake
Administer medications as ordered
Range of motion exercises

Question 14

Teaching with low back exercises

Answer 14

• Stretching and strengthening muscles facilitates reduction of pain and minimizes future injury.
• Abdominal strengthening also decreases stress and strain on the low back.