Funds Chp. 34

pain receptors

nociceptors

pain from a normal process that results in noxious stimuli being perceived as painful

nociceptive pain

more correct term for narcotic analgesics, since these drugs act by binding to opiate receptor sites in the central nervous system

opiod

amount of stimulation required before a person experiences the sensation of pain

pain threshold

point beyond which a person is no longer willing to endure pain (i.e., pain of greater duration or intensity)

pain tolerance

conscious process of organizing and interpreting data from the senses into meaningful information

perception

sensation of pain without demonstrable physiologic or pathologic substance; commonly observed after the amputation of a limb

phantom pain

phenomenon in which the body physiologically becomes accustomed to an opioid and suffers withdrawal symptoms if the opioid is suddenly removed or the dose is rapidly decreased

physical dependence

episode of pain that lasts from seconds to less than 6 months

acute pain

a pattern of compulsive use of addictive substances for means other than those prescribed

addiction

drugs typically used for other purposes, but also used to enhance the effect of opioids by providing additional pain relief

adjuvant

temporary flare-up of moderate to severe pain that occurs even when the patient is taking around-the-clock medication for persistent pain

breakthrough pain

episode of pain that lasts for 6 months or longer; may be intermittent or continuous

chronic pain

superficial pain usually involving the skin or subcutaneous tissue

cutaneous pain

the endorphin having the most potent analgesic effect

dynorphin

morphine-like substances released by the body that appear to alter the perception of pain

endorphins

opioids that are widespread throughout the brain and dorsal horn of the spinal cord and are believed to reduce pain sensation by inhibiting the release of substance P

enkephalins

belief that one's own ideas, beliefs, and practices are best, superior, or most preferred to those of others; using one's cultural norms as the standard to evaluate others' beliefs

ethnocentrism

period in chronic illness when the symptoms of the disease reappear

exacerbation

theory that explains that excitatory pain stimuli carried by small-diameter nerve fibers can be blocked by inhibiting signals carried by large-diameter nerve fibers

gas control theory

severe pain that is extremely resistant to relief measures

intractable

process by which the sensation of pain is inhibited or modified

modulation

endogenous opioid chemical regulators that appear to have analgesic activity and alter pain perception

neuromodulators

pain that results as a direct consequence of a lesion or disease affecting abnormal functioning of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) or central nervous system (CNS)

neuropathic pain

substances that either excite or inhibit target nerve cells

neurotransmitters

Latin word meaning, "I shall please"; an inactive substance that gives satisfaction to the person using it

placebo

pain for which no physical cause can be identified

psychogenic pain

pain in an area removed from that in which stimulation has its origin

referred pain

period in a chronic illness when the disease is present, but the person does not experience symptoms of the disease

remission

pain originating in structures in the body's external wall

somatic pain

occurrence of the body's becoming accustomed to an opioid and needing a larger dose each time for pain relief

tolerance

activation of pain receptors

transduction

conduction of pain sensations from the site of an injury or inflammation along clear and unclear pathways to the spinal cord and then on to higher centers

transmission

pain originating in the internal organs in the thorax, cranium, or abdomen

visceral pain