Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Patient Semester 2 > Pain > Flashcards

Pain Flashcards

(85 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

Definition of pain?

A

an unpleasant sensory or emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue damage, or described in terms of such damage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What factors influence the perception of pain?

A
  • psychological factors including previous experiences

- pre-existing pain (acute or chronic)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which aspect of pain must the pharmacist respond to?

A

The patients perception of the pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the three tpyes of pain?

A
  • Nociceptive
  • No apparent cause
  • Neuropathic
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the types of nociceptive pain? Types of neuropathic pain?

A

Acute and chronic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the types of acute nociceptive pain?

A

Immediate and delayed response

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Difference between acute and chronic pain?

A

acute:

  • usually obvious tissue damage
  • pain resolves on healing
  • serves a protective funciton

Chronic:

  • 3-6 months +
  • goes beyond expected period of healing
  • no protective function
  • degrates health and function
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What can chronic pain be a result of?

A

Dysfunctional activation of pain pathways

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How is acute pain protective?

A

Causes patient to seek medical help. Also reduce mobility so that the damage can heal

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Importance of pain management to pharmacists?

A

OTC analegesics should no longer be prescribed
Around 35% of pharmacists speak to pain patients 2-5 times a day
Results suggest patients are given inconsistent advice about OTC analgesics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Examples of acute pain in community pharmacy?

A

Minor ailments
- Backache, earache, sprains and strains, headache

OTC
- menstrual pain, migraine, post procedural pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Why is post procedural pain more common for community pharmacists to manage?

A

Patients being discharged on day case far more frequently

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Which acronym should you use when asking about pain?

A

SOCRATES
Site
Onset - when, how quickly
Character - aching, stinging,stabbing, burning etc
Radiation
Associations - any other symptoms e.g. nausea, sweating
Time course - specific pattern throughout the day?
Exacerbating/relieving factors
Severity

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What patient factors must be taken into consideration before treatment for acute pain is decided on?

A

Co-moribities and medications

- esp anything already tried by the patient for the pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Balance between patient’s subjective pain analysis and other factors?

A

Since pain is a perception, must believe the patient on how they feel it. Balance with other monitoring parameters and clinical signs of pain level

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

High tech method of regional pain relief?

A

Epidural infusion - local anaesthetic with or without opioid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Low tech method of regional pain relief?

A

Nerve block - local anaesthetic with or without opioid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Steps of the stepwise strategy for mild-moderate pain?

A
  1. Paracetamol
  2. Sub paracetamol for ibuprofen
  3. Paracetamol + ibuprofen
  4. Substitute ibuprofen for stronger NSAID (naproxen usually). keep paracetamol
  5. weak opioid + paracetamol and/or NSAID
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Important considerations for treating mild-moderate pain?

A

Treat underlying cause when possible
Use full therapeutic doses before switching agent
Use weak opioid at step 2 if C/I to NSAID
Consider PPI cover for NSAIDs
Avoid combination drugs as first line (they are useful for stabilised

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Why avoid combined analgesics in acute pain?

A

Harder to change doses and step up/down. Can leave shorter periods between dosing

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Analgesia choice in children for acute pain? (>3 months)

A

Paracetamol or ibuprofen alone first line
If no response - check adherence and dosing

Then switch

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Red flags associated with arthritis pain that may usually be managed in the community?

A
  • Deformity associated with pain
  • Too painful to move / cannot bear weight;
  • Severe swelling, discolouration, hot to the touch or bleeding;
  • Persistent joint pain, tenderness or swelling;
  • Prolonged or severe morning stiffness (more than 30 minutes duration);
  • Feeling unwell or presence of fever;
  • Tingling or numbness
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Examples of acute pain in secondary care?

A 
Trauma/burns
Myocardial Infarction
Kidney Stones
Childbirth
Post-operative pain
Sickle cell crisis
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is importanct to determine when someone presents with back pain?

A

Neuropathic or nociceptive

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Warning signs when a patient presents with back pain?
recent trauma or injury, pain down legs and below knees, loss of bladder/bowel control, weight loss
26
How is back pain treated?
According to the pain ladder. Short course of benxos may be used if spasms are present patient must be advised that laying down for long periods will make it worse
27
How much paracetamol to give to a 3-6 month old?
2.5mL infant suspension
28
How much paracetamol to give to a 6-24 month old?
5mL infant suspension
29
How much paracetamol to give to a 2-4 year old?
7.5mL infant suspension
30
How much paracetamol to give to a 4-6 year old?
10mL infant suspension
31
How much paracetamol to give to a 6-8 year old?
5mL six plus suspension
32
How much paracetamol to give to a 8-10 year old?
7.5mL six plus suspension
33
How much paracetamol to give to a 10-12 year old?
10mL six plus suspension
34
Max daily doses of paracetamol by weight?
>50kg: 4g 41-49kg: 3g <41kg: 2g
35
First line NSAID therapy for acute pain?
Ibuprofen 400mg tds
36
Second line NSAID therapy for acute pain?
Naproxen 250-500mg twice daily Available OTC but only for menstrual pain (second line regional pain relief consider topical NSAID)
37
When to consider a topical NSAID for acute pain?
For single regional pain relief (especially wrists, hands, knees, elbows, or feet)
38
Cautions/contraindications for NSAIDs?
Elderly – renal function/co-morbidities | Asthmatics, previous GI ulcer and/or bleed, renal impairment (incl AKI), cardiovascular disease (CI in failure)
39
What must be considered for long term NSAID therapy?
Gastric protection
40
What NSAID type drug can be used in very severe acute pain?
Paracoxib (COX-2 inhibitor) I.V. | - good for after surgery when patients NBM, only injectible coxib
41
What is important about the WHO stepwise ladder for severe pain? Why?
Start at the top and work down When patients are in severe pain working up the ladder takes too long and leaves them very uncomfortable until sufficient pain relief is found
42
Step 1 of the WHO stepwise ladder for pain?
For mild pain No opioid with/without simple analgesic
43
Step 2 of the WHO stepwise ladder for pain?
For moderate pain Opioid for mild to moderate pain plus non-opioid with/without adjuvant analgesic
44
Step 3 of the WHO stepwise ladder for pain?
For severe pain Opioid for moderate to severe pain plus non-opioid with/without adjuvant analgesic
45
What are the commonly used opioids for acute pain and their forms?
Codeine (oral or iv) , tramadol (oral, iv, im), morphine (oral, pr, iv, im), oxycodone (oral, iv), fentanyl (iv, buccal, sublingual, nasal)
46
Oral morphine equivalent of 60mg oral codeine?
3-9mg (divide by 10ish)
47
Oral morphine equivalent of 100mg oral tramadol?
10mg (divide by 10)
48
Oral morphine equivalent of 10mg iv morphine?
20mg (x2)
49
Oral morphine equivalent of 100mcg iv fentanyl?
10mg (x100)
50
Which opioid is especially good for children in severe pain and why?
Fentanyl - lozenges/sublingual available so easy to give without need for tablets or needles
51
Three main principles for using opioids safely?
- carefully titrate the dose against the desired effect - check previous exposure to opioids (higher tolerance) - consider patient age, size, renal function, co-morbidities etc
52
What needs to be monitored carefully in patients given opioids for acute pain?
drowsiness, respiratory depression - as long as these aren't occurring can step up pain relief further if required
53
How do acute pain protocols differ from regular dosing info?
Allow smaller amounts of opioid to be given at shorter intervals to sustain pain relief. can start with a small dose then add in more after an hour etc if needed
54
What is a PCA?
Patient controlled anaethesia Patient delivers a small IV bolus at button press usually morphine, fentanyl or oxycodone (f & o safer in renal impairment)
55
Benefits of a PCA?
- has lockout period so patient cannot overdose themselves - allows a dose of analgesia that is sufficient but also not too much, just as required - higher patient satisfaction as don't need to wait for someone to give pain relief - can monitor amount of pain relief used over time period
56
Important for HCPs to know about PCAs?
- if dexterity/understanding is an issue, PCA not suitable | - only the patient should press the pump, not nurses or relatives
57
How does PCA use reduce risk of sedation and respiratory depression?
as soon as the patient gets drowsy from the opioid, they sleep a bit and stop pressing the pump until concentrations fall and they wear off
58
Place of simple analegsics and NSAIDs in severe pain management?
Can reduce amount of opioid needed so safer for patient
59
How to step down from PCA?
- Usually onto oral opioid such as morphine or oxycodone (or weak opioid if use has been low) - Starting dose needs to take into consideration previous PCA use over the last 24 hours e. g. 30mg IV PCA Morphine – convert to 60mg oral Morphine in divided doses - Dose may still need to be titrated to effect – prescribed as required and continue to monitor and score pain. - Adjuncts should be also used where appropriate (opioid sparing effects)
60
Uses of epidural anaesthesia?
CHildbirth, infusion after major surgery
61
What is epidural anaesthesia?
Form of regional anaesthesia with drugs delivered via a catheter directly into the epidural space: Use a combination of local anaesthetic and strong opioid (typically levobupivicaine 0.125% with fentanyl 2mcg/ml) Infusion rate dependant on position of epidural, pain score balanced with clinical observations. Patients able to mobilise with infusion in-situ post operatively
62
Monitoring requirements for epidural patients?
``` Itching Nausea and vomiting Drowsiness Respiratory depression Urinary retention Hypotension Bradycardia Headache (dural puncture) Motor Block - Essam (arms) and Bromage (lower limb) scores ``` Don't want to block any motor nerves so any tingling/loss of sensation or function/changes in bladder and bowel function are dangerous
63
What others types of pain relief can be used for severe acute pain?
- Local Anaesthetic Infusions – acute post-op pain or trauma - Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) block- newer technique in abdominal surgery - Ketamine infusions - difficult pain cases. Carefully controlled and monitored as hypnotic and amnesic (good for trauma) - Entonox (Nitrous oxide “Gas and Air”) – childbirth, wound dressings, joint manipulations
64
Things to consider when advising on analgesia?
``` What should you consider when advising on analgesia? Type and severity of pain Efficacy of agents for type of pain Route available and mode of delivery - Enteral (oral, rectal, feeding tubes) - Topical (but not patches) - I.V. incl P.C.A. - subcutaneous - Epidural or spinal ``` Contra-indications (Incl: allergy status) Co-morbidities Other medication
65
Which patients are more difficult to manage pain well?
``` babies and children, elderly respiratory disease renal failure head injury addiction acute pain on top of chronic ```
66
Role of the pharmacist in acute pain management?
choice of agent, interactions, route, dosage, side effects, patient counselling, communication with MDT
67
Stage 1 of anaesthesia?
- induction/analgesia - reduced response to pain - conscious but drowsy - varies with the agent (ether>halothane)
68
Stage 2 of anaesthesia?
- !important to limit this as dangerous - choking, gagging, vomiting, moving - excitement - loss of response to non-painful stimuli - gag reflex and coughing increased - response to pain preserved
69
Stage 3 of anaesthesia?
- the desired phase for surgery - progressive shallowing of breathing - regular respiration - possibly some reflexes and muscle tone preserved - movement ceases
70
Stage 4 of anaesthesia?
Death - overdose - medullary paralysis - respiration and vasomotor control ceases
71
Pharmacokinetics desired for general anaesthesia?
- we would like rapid induction and rapid recovery - avoid stage 2 and 4 - avoid side effects
72
What combinations of drugs are used for anaesthesia?
analgesics, muscle relaxants, axiolytics, different anaesthetics these make the stages of anaesthesia less apparent
73
Components of modern general anaesthesia?
- rapid induction of unconsciousness e.g. iv propofol - maintenance of unconsciousness and production of aneasthesia e.g. inhales N20 / halothane - supplementary analgesic e.g. iv morphine - neuromuscular blocker e.g. atracurium
74
4 types of anaesthetics?
inhalational, intravenous, neurolept, dissociative
75
Advantages of inhaled anaesthetics?
- easy to maintain degree of anaesthesia (fast air:blood equilibrium) - rapid emergence
76
Disadvantages of inhaled anaesthetics?
- cumbersome and expensive apparatus - administered via a mask- psychological effects - atmospheric pollution
77
Toxicity of inhaled anaesthetics?
toxic metabolites - fluranes generate fluoride which is renally toxic - Halothane converted to bromide and trifluoroacetic acid, hepatotoxic - metabolism is unimportant for elimination as exhaled, but metabolites aren't good
78
What is MAC in anaesthetics?
Minimum alveolar concentration - concentration required to produce anaesthesia in 50% of patients measure of potency of the anaesthetic
79
What is the blood-gas partition coefficient
- A measure of how well the drug dissolves in blood - Determines rate of induction and recovery the lower the more potent
80
What is the oil-gas partition coeffient and what is the significance of a high value clinically?
A measure of how well the drug dissolves in fat - high value means high potency - distributed in fat which is poorly vascularised so leaves body much slower - hangover effect (worst in fat patients)
81
Most common inhaled anaesthetics?
N2O and isoflurane desflurane and sevoflurane becoming more popular (cheap)
82
Place of ether in anaesthetic use?
Explosive, causes nausea but cheap so still used in third world countries (not listed in BNF)
83
General points about isoflurane?
- widely used but being replaced - no metabolism, little toxicity, not proconvulsive - hypotension as decreases vascular resistance - coronary vasodilator -
84
General points about sevoflurane?
- 'anaesthetic of choice' - very rapid induction - v expensive - some concerns regarding neurodegeneration - recovery so rapid that post op pain relief is needed
85
General points about N2O?
- nitrous oxide, entenox - Low blood gas partition coefficient - analgesic effect at concentrations lower than those that cause unconsciousness

Patient Semester 2 (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions