Pain Flashcards
(15 cards)
what are the benefits of treating pain?
physical - sleep, decreased medical complications
psychological - decreased suffering, decreased depression/anxiety
family - participating family member, able to work
society - decreased health costs + contribute to community
nociceptive pain description?
sharp/dull, well localised
neuropathic pain description?
burning, shooting, numbness, pins+needles
what is the first and second relay station for pain after the periphery?
dorsal horn - first relay
thalamus - second relay
where does pain perception occur?
cortex
pathological mechanisms? (4)
increased receptor number
abnormal sensitisation to nerves
chemical changes in the dorsal horn
loss of normal inhibitory modulation
what are some non-pharmacological treatments?
RICE approach
accupuncture
massage
TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
what is the RAT approach?
recognise
assess
treat
recognise in the RAT approach?
ask the patient
ask the patients family
look at the patient
assess (severity) in the RAT approach? (5)
verbal rating numerical rating visual analogue smiling faces Abbey pain scale (confused)
other assess factors?
acute or chronic? nociceptive or neuropathic? cancer or non-cancer? physical causes? psychological?
treatment of nociceptive pain?
paracetamol +/- NSAIDs
add codeine
add morphine
treatment of neuropathic pain?
amitriptyline
gabapentin
advantages of PCA? (3)
faster alleviation of pain
less time in pain
potentially less medication
disadvantages of PCA? (4)
abuse for the euphoric effects
programming errors - under or overdose
confused, learning disability
poor manual dexterity (pushing button)
