Pain types

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In a discussion with some students recently a comment was made such as "it doesn't really matter whether patients are experiencing nociceptive or neuropathic pain - it's all pain anyway".

How can I outline a written response and coment on this including arguments for kep points that can be supported by the best available evidence from literature. How would I respond to this argument? They are both two very different pain types. Obviously age, psychosocial elements affect pain levels.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

I know that we've been taught that the pain is what the patient says it is, and you treat it. So out of curiosity, how is the pain different, and does that affect how you treat it? Do you give different medications based on what type of pain it is? I honestly don't know, but I look forward to your answer!

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

What do they exactly mean when they say, "it's all pain anyway?" I don't understand at all.

If we do not investigate exactly what type of pain the patient is experiencing, how can it be addressed? If we don't know what's causing it, how can we treat it?

Nociceptive pain feels very different from neuropathic pain and the causes are different. How they're treated is different.

Somatic pain feels very different from visceral pain and treatment will vary. One can be benign and another can be a symptom of something serious.

Acute pain is very different from chronic pain and treatment will be different.

Just think about the abundance of pain meds. Common agents used in pain control: NSAIDS, steroids, opiates, tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs or SNRIs, antiepileptics... All these are used for pain. How will you choose if you do not know what works for what type of pain?

Does your nursing textbook have a chapter on pain? I'm sure it will discuss all those different types and why knowing them are important.

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Hi Miss Mollie

here is a vague instruction for an assignment. In a discussion with some colleagues the comment is made that 'it doesn't really matter whether patients are experiencing nociceptive or neuropathic pain ‐ it's all pain anyway?'

Outline your response to this comment including arguments for your key points which are supported by evidence from the literature.

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Specializes in Neuroscience.

Well, if the pain is different, then outline the differences, including patient experience, medication that may be used, and over outcome to the pain and therapy offered. Good luck!

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Specializes in Hem/Onc/BMT.

Oh, so it's a scenario given to you as an assignment! Phewww! It's a relief... I'd like to think that no one out there thinks it doesn't matter.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Hi Miss Mollie

here is a vague instruction for an assignment. In a discussion with some colleagues the comment is made that 'it doesn't really matter whether patients are experiencing nociceptive or neuropathic pain ‐it's all pain anyway?'

Outline your response to this comment including arguments for your key points which are supported by evidence from the literature.

Ok so......you are to "let the person" who said this know about the different types of pain and why they are different and how this affects the patients treatment and meds that are ordered...as well as describe the different types of pain to "prove", with evidence based documents, your point that all pain isn't the same.

So you would look up nocieptive pain and neuropathic pain. What are they? How are the different? How are they similar? How are they treated? Why are they treated that way? Why are some meds effective for one and not the other?

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Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.
Well, if the pain is different, then outline the differences, including patient experience, medication that may be used, and over outcome to the pain and therapy offered. Good luck!

What do YOU think the differences are based on the research that you have done so far? What work have you done on this assignment so far?

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Specializes in Neuroscience.
What do YOU think the differences are based on the research that you have done so far? What work have you done on this assignment so far?

Just for the record, I'm not the OP.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

I think she was quoting your suggestions but addressing the OP

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Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.
I think she was quoting your suggestions but addressing the OP

Actually, I totally meant to reply to the post just above, made by the OP to address the OP and totally fudged it. No more posting in the morning before being awake for me!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Actually, I totally meant to reply to the post just above, made by the OP to address the OP and totally fudged it. No more posting in the morning before being awake for me!
LOLOLOL....Yeah I need my cup of tea or I'm no good!
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