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HCS2120 Pain & Pain Management

Intermediate · 1 credit · HRH - Health, Recreation, and Human Services

Description
Students examine the physiology of pain and the effects of unrelieved pain on the body systems and health and wellness of individuals. Students gain basic knowledge and skills related to the assessment and management of pain and the role of these strategies in promoting health and wellness in personal and health care contexts. Students gain an appreciation for the complexity of pain and the effects of pain on the individual, family, peers and community.
Prerequisite
HSS1010: Health Services Foundations
Supporting courses
CCS1020: Back Care Basics CCS2010: Health Care 1 CCS2040: Integrative Health HCS2050: Nervous System & Senses HCS2060: Endocrine System

Outcomes The student will:

  • 1 analyze basic mechanisms of pain

    • 1.1 define common terms related to pain and pain management using a list of prefixes, roots and suffixes

    • 1.2 compare definitions of pain and pain management, including:

      • 1.2.1 definitions of the International Association for the Study of Pain and American Pain Society

      • 1.2.2 common definitions of pain related to injury

      • 1.2.3 definitions of pain related to personal experience of pain

    • 1.3 examine cultural beliefs about pain

    • 1.4 differentiate pain from suffering

    • 1.5 differentiate between acute, chronic non-malignant and cancer pain

    • 1.6 identify factors affecting individual pain tolerance, including:

      • 1.6.1 competing sensory input

      • 1.6.2 the aging process

      • 1.6.3 expectations

      • 1.6.4 past experiences

      • 1.6.5 cultural factors

      • 1.6.6 general health, depression and fatigue

      • 1.6.7 prospects of a reward or accomplishment

    • 1.7 differentiate between pain threshold and tolerance

    • 1.8 categorize types of pain according to the origin of stimuli (neuropathic versus nociceptive), including:

      • 1.8.1 somatic pain

      • 1.8.2 visceral pain

      • 1.8.3 centrally generated pain

      • 1.8.4 peripherally generated pain

      • 1.8.5 expectation of duration

    • 1.9 explain the anatomy and physiology of somatic and visceral sensations of pain, including:

      • 1.9.1 transduction

      • 1.9.2 transmission

      • 1.9.3 perception

      • 1.9.4 modulation

    • 1.10 explain the physiology of referred pain

    • 1.11 diagram a pain pathway

    • 1.12 explain the anatomy and physiology of neuropathic pain

    • 1.13 justify pain as the most important protective sense, including consideration of the following types of pain that signal a need for immediate medical attention:

      • 1.13.1 sudden severe headache

      • 1.13.2 chest pain

      • 1.13.3 severe abdominal pain

      • 1.13.4 eye injury or acute changes in vision

      • 1.13.5 joint swelling or pain following injury

      • 1.13.6 pelvic pain in women

      • 1.13.7 sudden, severe back pain with accompanying numbness or loss of bladder or bowel control

    • 1.14 explain the action of endorphins

    • 1.15 explain the possible harmful effects of unrelieved pain on the function of body systems, including:

      • 1.15.1 endocrine system

      • 1.15.2 metabolic effects

      • 1.15.3 cardiovascular system

      • 1.15.4 respiratory system

      • 1.15.5 genitourinary system

      • 1.15.6 digestive system

      • 1.15.7 musculoskeletal system

      • 1.15.8 cognitive processing

      • 1.15.9 immune system and sleep patterns

    • 1.16 describe the possible harmful effects of unrelieved pain on:

      • 1.16.1 the physical, social and emotional growth and development of children

      • 1.16.2 behaviour and relationships with family, friends, health care providers and the community

      • 1.16.3 quality of life in the context of chronic illness and palliative care

      • 1.16.4 the future development of chronic pain syndromes after following medical procedures

      • 1.16.5 the work and activities of daily living

  • 2 evaluate pain assessment strategies

    • 2.1 justify assessment of pain as the fifth vital sign

    • 2.2 state the purpose of pain-rating scales and their use

    • 2.3 describe evidence-based misconceptions about pain that are a barrier to effective assessment techniques, including the following:

      • 2.3.1 the importance of clinical opinion versus patient opinion

      • 2.3.2 comparable stimuli produce comparable pain responses in people (thresholds and tolerance levels)

      • 2.3.3 people with low pain tolerances should make a greater effort to cope instead of seeking medication or more treatment

      • 2.3.4 absence of physical basis for pain indicates pain does not exist

      • 2.3.5 pain should not be treated until the cause is established

      • 2.3.6 visible signs of pain, either physiological or behavioural, verify the existence and severity of pain

      • 2.3.7 anxiety or depression causes pain or makes pain worse

      • 2.3.8 all people who make regular attempts to obtain medication for pain are addicted to the medication

      • 2.3.9 infants and small children do not experience pain or remember pain

    • 2.4 identify words often used to describe pain, including:

      • 2.4.1 how the pain feels

      • 2.4.2 how the pain acts

      • 2.4.3 emotional and physical responses

    • 2.5 identify nonverbal behaviours that indicate the presence of pain, including:

      • 2.5.1 vocalizations

      • 2.5.2 facial expressions

      • 2.5.3 bracing

      • 2.5.4 restlessness

      • 2.5.5 protecting an area of the body

      • 2.5.6 self-soothing movements

    • 2.6 describe personal and societal beliefs about pain and the control of pain, including beliefs influenced by cultural considerations

    • 2.7 apply the Initial Pain Assessment tool in the context of case studies and role-play

    • 2.8 apply the Brief Pain Inventory tool in the context of case studies and role-play

    • 2.9 apply pain-rating scales in the context of case studies and role-play

  • 3 analyze pain management strategies for the effective control and relief of pain

    • 3.1 compare the appropriate application of cutaneous stimulation for pain management, including the safe, effective and appropriate use of:

      • 3.1.1 heat

      • 3.1.2 cold

      • 3.1.3 vibration and superficial massage

    • 3.2 compare the pain mechanisms affected by acetominophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and opioid medication

    • 3.3 justify the need for prescription for opioid medication

    • 3.4 analyze various complementary and alternative medicine approaches to pain

    • 3.5 explain the role of mental and spiritual health in relation to pain management, including the role of distraction and relaxation techniques

    • 3.6 describe humour as a pain management strategy

    • 3.7 explain the role of sleep in pain management

  • 4 explain the pathology and management strategies for headaches and back pain

    • 4.1 differentiate between primary and secondary headaches

    • 4.2 compare common causes of low back pain, neck pain and other back pain

    • 4.3 describe four common types of headaches, including causes and symptoms of:

      • 4.3.1 tension headaches

      • 4.3.2 migraine headaches, including a list of common migraine triggers

      • 4.3.3 cluster headaches

      • 4.3.4 sinus headaches

    • 4.4 outline strategies for managing headache pain for the types of common headaches, including:

      • 4.4.1 summarizing rebound headaches or daily headache syndromes

      • 4.4.2 outlining methods to treat tension headaches

      • 4.4.3 outlining strategies to manage migraine headaches

      • 4.4.4 outlining strategies to treat cluster headaches

      • 4.4.5 outlining strategies to treat sinus headaches

    • 4.5 recommend strategies to manage back pain

    • 4.6 list signs and symptoms of a headache or back pain that indicate the need for immediate medical attention

    • 4.7 recommend strategies to prevent the occurrence of headaches

    • 4.8 list considerations for preventative back care

  • 5 demonstrate basic competencies

    • 5.1 demonstrate fundamental skills to:

      • 5.1.1 communicate

      • 5.1.2 manage information

      • 5.1.3 use numbers

      • 5.1.4 think and solve problems

    • 5.2 demonstrate personal management skills to:

      • 5.2.1 demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours

      • 5.2.2 be responsible

      • 5.2.3 be adaptable

      • 5.2.4 learn continuously

      • 5.2.5 work safely

    • 5.3 demonstrate teamwork skills to:

      • 5.3.1 work with others

      • 5.3.2 participate in projects and tasks

  • 6 identify possible life roles related to the skills and content of this cluster

    • 6.1 recognize and then analyze the opportunities and barriers in the immediate environment

    • 6.2 identify potential resources to minimize barriers and maximize opportunities

Program of Studies 2010. Source document, © Alberta Education.