Types and Sources of Pain in Children
Types and Sources of Pain in Children ( 38 Questions)
The child appears tired, has a decreased appetite, and has been withdrawing from activities.
The nurse understands that these are common signs of a specific type of pain.
Which of the following statements would be most appropriate for the nurse to say?
Acute pain is usually associated with a recent injury or illness, and it is of short duration. The child in the scenario has been experiencing pain for the past few months, which indicates a more prolonged pain experience. Acute pain typically serves as a warning sign of a new or ongoing injury or issue, but in this case, the pain has become chronic.
Nociceptive pain is the result of the stimulation of nociceptors by tissue damage or inflammation. While it can be acute or chronic, the description of the child's symptoms, such as being tired, having a decreased appetite, and withdrawing from activities for the past few months, suggests a pain that goes beyond the typical characteristics of nociceptive pain. Therefore, this choice is not the most appropriate.
Neuropathic pain is typically characterized by sensations like burning, tingling, or shooting pain, often due to nerve damage. The child's symptoms, such as tiredness, decreased appetite, and withdrawal from activities, do not align with the typical presentation of neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is more often associated with conditions like diabetic neuropathy or nerve compression.
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for an extended period, typically more than three months. The child's experience of pain for the past few months and the associated symptoms of tiredness, decreased appetite, and withdrawal from activities are indicative of chronic pain. This choice is the most appropriate because it aligns with the child's clinical presentation.
Choice A rationale:
Acute pain is usually associated with a recent injury or illness, and it is of short duration.
The child in the scenario has been experiencing pain for the past few months, which indicates a more prolonged pain experience.
Acute pain typically serves as a warning sign of a new or ongoing injury or issue, but in this case, the pain has become chronic.
Choice B rationale:
Nociceptive pain is the result of the stimulation of nociceptors by tissue damage or inflammation.
While it can be acute or chronic, the description of the child's symptoms, such as being tired, having a decreased appetite, and withdrawing from activities for the past few months, suggests a pain that goes beyond the typical characteristics of nociceptive pain.
Therefore, this choice is not the most appropriate.
Choice C rationale:
Neuropathic pain is typically characterized by sensations like burning, tingling, or shooting pain, often due to nerve damage.
The child's symptoms, such as tiredness, decreased appetite, and withdrawal from activities, do not align with the typical presentation of neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain is more often associated with conditions like diabetic neuropathy or nerve compression.
Choice D rationale:
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for an extended period, typically more than three months.
The child's experience of pain for the past few months and the associated symptoms of tiredness, decreased appetite, and withdrawal from activities are indicative of chronic pain.
This choice is the most appropriate because it aligns with the child's clinical presentation.