painful stimuli vs noxious stimuli?

Nurses General Nursing

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Does noxious stimuli mean the same thing as painful stimuli? Without my testbook being to direct, noxious is NOT the same as painful stimuli:confused:. Also, what are some examples of noxious stimuli? I would imagine that applying pressure the nail bed would NOT be an example of this???????

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Specializes in ccu cardiovascular.

Noxious stimuli would be anything that was adversive to the patient. Doing a sternal rub or babinski reflex to the foot is not painful but can be quite irritaing if they are trying to zone you out.

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

Perhaps stimulating other senses--smelling salts, loud, abrupt noise, oral care, flashlight to check pupils...

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Specializes in OB/Neonatal, Med/Surg, Instructor.

'Buzzing' a fetus in utero in order to get it to move/turn is an example of noxious stimulation (uses a device similar to an artificial larynx) which does not hurt the baby but certainly gets a reaction which is the goal. Sternal rubs usually do hurt and I would put them in the painful stimuli category......:twocents:

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painful stimule is an example of noxious stimuli...

painful stimuli,, example= needle prick,,,

noxious stimuli,, example= loud sounds,,, bright lights, glare

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All painful stimulation is noxious (unpleasant).

But not all noxious stimuli is painful.

The example of "buzzing" a fetus is a good example. Not painful, but definitely unpleasant.

Just add "ob" to noxious and you should get the picture.

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