CH 9. Pain Management and Analgesic Terminology

acute pain

• pain that results from tissue damage that generally abates as healing occurs; serves as a warning signal that something is wrong or needs attention

• a type of pain that lasts for an extended period, often associated with chronic conditions

• pain that is felt in a specific area of the body without any underlying tissue damage

• a sudden and severe pain that occurs without any prior warning

hydrophilic

• a substance or medication that is readily absorbed in aqueous solution

• a substance that repels water

• a medication that is only effective in dry conditions

• a compound that does not dissolve in water

NSAID

• an acronym for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug

• a type of steroid medication

• a class of antibiotics

• a pain relief method involving surgery

physical dependence

• the body’s normal response to administration of an opioid for 2 or more weeks; withdrawal symptoms may occur if an opioid is abruptly stopped

• a psychological craving for an opioid without physical symptoms

• the immediate effects of an opioid on the brain

• the ability to tolerate higher doses of an opioid without experiencing side effects

nonopioid

• Analgesic medications that include acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

• Medications that are derived from opium

• Pain relief medications that are only available by prescription

• Drugs that are used to treat anxiety and depression

neuropathic (pathophysiologic) pain

• pain caused by injury or dysfunction of one or more nerves of the peripheral or central nervous systems

• pain that is primarily psychological in nature

• pain resulting from inflammation in the body

• pain that occurs without any identifiable cause

metabolite

• a substance that speeds up chemical reactions

• the product of biochemical reactions during medication metabolism

• a type of enzyme that breaks down drugs

• a compound that inhibits metabolic processes

withdrawal

• result of abrupt cessation or rapid decrease in dose of a substance upon which one is physically dependent

• a gradual increase in the dosage of a substance

• a psychological condition characterized by intense cravings

• a physical reaction to an overdose of a substance

refractory

• nonresponsive or resistant to therapeutic interventions such as analgesic agents

• easily treated with standard medications

• responsive to common therapies

• showing improvement with minimal intervention

adjuvant analgesic agent

• A medication that solely relieves pain

• A substance or medication added to an analgesic medication regimen to improve analgesia

• A type of pain that requires surgical intervention

• A medication that causes pain relief only in specific conditions