Methods of Rating Pain
Patients are asked to rate their pain on a scale from 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable.
Numerical Rating Scale (NRS)
Suggests that the spinal cord contains a "gate" mechanism that can either facilitate or inhibit pain signals from reaching the brain.
Gate Control Theory
A medication that has been found in clinical practice to have either an independent analgesic effect or additive analgesic properties when administered with opioids
Adjuvant
Those with severe hepatic impairment and severe active hepatic disease should not take this
Acetaminophen
Patients mark their level of pain on a 10 cm line with "no pain" at one end and "worst pain imaginable" at the other.
Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
Emphasizes the importance of understanding not only the physiological aspects of pain but also the psychological and social factors that influence an individual's experience of pain.
Biopsychosocial Model
Used to treat mild pain and fever but does not have anti-inflammatory properties
Acetaminophen
Hypersensitivity is the only major contraindication for this
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
Patients select a word or phrase that best describes their level of pain (e.g., none, mild, moderate, severe).
Verbal Rating Scale (VRS)
Suggests that the brain generates pain through a network of neurons known as the "body-self neuromatrix," integrates sensory inputs, emotional and cognitive factors, and past experiences to produce the perception of pain.
Neuromatrix Theory of Pain
Provides mild to moderate pain relief and also reduces fever and inflammation by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs)
Those with severe respiratory instability, acute mental instability or high suicidal risk, or a family and/or personal history of substance abuse should avoid this
Opioids
Patients, especially children or those with limited verbal ability, select a face that corresponds to their level of pain intensity from a series of faces ranging from smiling to crying.
Faces Pain Scale (FPS)
Suggests that the perception of pain can be influenced by the context in which it occurs and an individual's previous experiences with pain.
Pain Adaptation Model
Used to treat moderate to severe pain and work by blocking the release of neurotransmitters involved in the processing of pain
Opioids
Patients mark the location of their pain on a body diagram and rate the intensity of pain in each location.
Pain Diagrams
Refers to an exaggerated negative orientation towards pain, characterized by rumination, magnification, and helplessness.
Pain Catastrophizing Model
Patients record their pain levels at regular intervals over a period of time, along with factors, such as activities, medications, and triggers.
Pain Diaries
Refers to an increased responsiveness of neurons in the peripheral or central nervous system to stimuli, including painful stimuli.
Peripheral and Central Sensitization