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16.7: Key Terms

  • Page ID
    105366
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    acute pain
    pain that is short in duration and caused by an acute event
    adjuvant analgesic
    medication that is not classified as an analgesic but has been found to have an analgesic effect with opioids
    affective response
    the emotional interpretation of pain, such as how uncomfortable the pain is
    algophobia
    the extreme fear of pain
    analgesic
    medication used to relieve pain
    basal rate
    the continuous rate of the medication that maintains effective pain management
    biofeedback
    a technique that uses visual or auditory feedback to control bodily functions such as heart rate and breathing patterns
    breakthrough pain
    pain that persists along with chronic pain even with pain interventions
    catastrophizing
    picturing the worst possible outcome for a situation
    chronic pain
    pain that persists for longer than three months
    cutaneous pain
    pain that is perceived from the skin and caused by heat, cold, or mechanical or chemical stimuli
    distraction
    a method that moves patients’ attention away from painful stimuli
    distress
    extreme physical or mental suffering such as pain, anxiety, or sadness
    etiology of pain
    the specific cause of pain
    fight-or-flight response
    the automatic response from the sympathetic nervous system to a perceived stressful or dangerous situation, which triggers the body to either run away from or fight the perceived threat
    first line therapy
    medical treatment that is recommended as the best option for the initial treatment of a disease or medical condition
    guided imagery
    a relaxation technique that uses images or scenes to invoke positive and relaxing feelings
    idiopathic pain
    chronic pain from an unknown origin
    massage
    a form of therapeutic touch where a professional uses touch and pressure to loosen tight muscles and tendons
    McCaffrey Initial Pain Assessment Tool
    a pain assessment tool that uses visual aids and questions including elements of the PQRSTU mnemonic to provide a comprehensive pain assessment
    modification of pain
    a change by the brain in the intensity of the pain signal based on the situation that originated the pain signal
    neuropathic pain
    pain caused by neurological damage or dysfunction
    neurotransmitter
    a chemical that carries messages between neurons to communicate throughout the body
    nociception
    the process by which painful stimuli are detected by nociceptors and send the pain signals from the peripheral nervous system to the brain
    nociceptive pain
    pain that originates in the peripheral nervous system from stimulation by heat, cold, or mechanical or chemical stimuli
    nociceptor
    a type of sensory receptor in the peripheral nervous system that responds to potentially damaging stimuli by sending nerve signals to the central nervous system
    nonopioid analgesic
    medication, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), used for acute and chronic pain relief
    nonpharmacological therapy
    interventions that reduce pain without using medication
    nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
    medication that provides mild to moderate pain relief while also reducing fever and inflammation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins
    opioid analgesic
    powerful prescription medication that helps reduce pain by blocking pain signals
    parasympathetic nervous system
    the part of the autonomic nervous system that opposes the sympathetic nervous system and regulates automatic bodily functions in times of rest and relaxation
    patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)
    a form of pain medication administration that allows hospitalized patients with severe pain to safely self-administer opioid medications using a programmed pump
    pharmacological therapy
    the use of medication to treat a disease, illness, or medical condition
    physical dependence
    a condition in which a patient experiences physical symptoms of withdrawal when stopping a medication
    physical therapy
    the use of exercise and movement to improve strength and flexibility
    physiologic response
    the body’s involuntary response to a stimulus such as inflammation or changes in heart rate and blood pressure
    physiological factor
    a physical factor that relates to a person’s perception of pain
    placebo effect
    an improvement in a condition, such as the lessening of pain, that occurs due to the patient believing a treatment will be effective
    post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
    a psychiatric disorder in which a person experiences lingering effects triggered by a past traumatic event
    psychosocial factor
    a social factor that relates to a person’s perception of pain
    referred pain
    pain perceived at a location other than the site originating the painful stimulus
    somatic pain
    pain that originates in ligaments, tendons, bones, blood vessels, and muscles
    tolerance
    a built-up resistance of the body to a medication
    transduction of pain
    the starting point of the pain process when stimuli activate nociceptors to alert the brain
    transmission of pain
    the second step of the pain process when the pain signal is sent from the peripheral to the central nervous system
    visceral pain
    pain that is activated when internal organs such as the stomach and kidneys are damaged
    vocalization
    the use of sounds, noises, and words to express pain
    Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
    a visual pain assessment tool using drawings of different faces exhibiting increasing levels of pain

    This page titled 16.7: Key Terms is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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