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Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of acute pain?
What is the primary function of acute pain?
- To trigger chronic pain that lasts a lifetime
- To activate the brain's stress response to pain signals
- To initiate the fight-or-flight response in the autonomic nervous system
- To provide a warning of tissue damage and subsides when healing takes place (correct)
Which of the following is a characteristic of chronic pain?
Which of the following is a characteristic of chronic pain?
- It is always treatable
- It follows the normal pathway for pain from nociceptor activation to the brain
- It subsides when healing takes place
- It may last a lifetime (correct)
What is the difference between nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain?
What is the difference between nociceptive pain and neuropathic pain?
- Nociceptive pain is always treatable, while neuropathic pain is not
- Nociceptive pain is only experienced in childbirth, while neuropathic pain is experienced in osteoarthritis
- Nociceptive pain is temporary, while neuropathic pain is chronic
- Nociceptive pain follows the normal pathway for pain, while neuropathic pain follows an abnormal pathway (correct)
What is the autonomic nervous system's response to pain?
What is the autonomic nervous system's response to pain?
What is a common behavioral response to acute pain?
What is a common behavioral response to acute pain?
Which type of chronic pain is characterized by abnormal sensations and pain in the absence of a painful stimulus?
Which type of chronic pain is characterized by abnormal sensations and pain in the absence of a painful stimulus?
Which of the following medications is considered a second-line option for reducing neuropathic pain?
Which of the following medications is considered a second-line option for reducing neuropathic pain?
What is the main characteristic of intractable pain?
What is the main characteristic of intractable pain?
What is the primary goal of treatment for chronic pain?
What is the primary goal of treatment for chronic pain?
What is the term used to describe pain that occurs in a body part that has been amputated or traumatized?
What is the term used to describe pain that occurs in a body part that has been amputated or traumatized?
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Study Notes
Autonomic Nervous System Response to Pain
- The autonomic nervous system activates the fight-or-flight response when it interprets pain signals from the brain
- Physiologic responses to pain include increased heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
- Patients in pain may exhibit behaviors such as grimacing, moaning, and verbalizing pain or withdrawing
Acute Pain
- Most pain experienced in hospitals is acute pain
- Acute pain follows the normal pathway for pain from nociceptor activation to the brain
- Examples of acute pain include postoperative pain, renal colic pain, bone fractures, and pain in childbirth
- Acute pain is temporary, and its cause is known and treatable; it subsides when healing takes place
Chronic Pain
- Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists or recurs for more than 3 to 6 months
- Chronic pain may be nociceptive (e.g., osteoarthritis) or neuropathic (e.g., nerve damage)
- Neuropathic pain causes unusual sensations such as burning, shooting pain, and abnormal sensations
- The cause of chronic pain is often unknown, and treatment may or may not be helpful in relieving the pain
- Examples of chronic pain include cancer, arthritis, peripheral vascular diseases, and traumatic injuries
Classification of Chronic Pain
- Chronic noncancer pain is persistent pain that interferes with sleep and function, resulting in possible disability and loss of health and normal lifestyle
- Intractable pain is pain that cannot be relieved and has no known effective treatment
- Phantom limb pain is an example of chronic neuropathic pain
Treatment of Chronic Pain
- Treatment of chronic pain often requires a multidisciplinary approach involving pain specialists and healthcare teams
- Pharmacological options for neuropathic pain include serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, antiepileptics, and tricyclic antidepressants
- Other treatment options for chronic pain include lidocaine patches, tramadol, capsaicin 8% patches, and strong opioids
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