Pain Basics
Temporary, protective pain that resolves with healing.
What is acute pain?
What does the “A” stand for in the primary survey?
Airway with cervical spine protection.
Drug of choice for stable supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)?
Adenosine
Which pediatric pain scale is used for nonverbal children 2 months–7 years?
FLACC
Which lab rises within 6–8 hrs of infection/inflammation?
CRP (C-reactive protein).
Type of pain that comes from nerve damage, often burning or shooting.
Neuropathic pain
What are early signs of hypoxia?
Tachycardia, restlessness, tachypnea.
First-line drug for symptomatic bradycardia?
Atropine.
Which non-drug method uses electricity to block pain signals?
TENS
Which lab rises slower and is best for chronic inflammation?
ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate).
Which theory explains how massage or cold can block pain signals?
Gate Control Theory
What does “E” stand for in ABCDE?
Exposure and environmental control.
Drug used in VFib and pulseless VT; has long half-life?
Amiodarone.
Which opioid side effects must be assessed before dosing?
Sedation and respiratory depression.
Normal CRP according to ATI?
< 1 mg/dL (or < 10 mg/L)
Which opioid is considered the gold standard for severe pain?
Morphine
What pulse is checked during CPR in an adult?
What pulse is checked during CPR in an adult?
Ventricular antiarrhythmic that may cause CNS toxicity first?
Lidocaine.
In PCA use, who is the ONLY person who should press the button?
The patient.
Normal ESR values for men and women?
Men ≤ 15 mm/hr; Women ≤ 20 mm/hr.
Which opioid antidote reverses respiratory depression?
Naloxone (Narcan).
What does AVPU assess?
Level of consciousness (Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive).
Which drug is given in all cardiac arrests (asystole, PEA, VF, VT)?
Epinephrine
Which drug class includes amitriptyline, used for pain adjuvant therapy?
TCA (Tricyclic antidepressants)
In cirrhosis, why might CRP be falsely low?
Because the damaged liver cannot produce enough CRP.