NUR 300 Lecture Notes - Lecture 15: Neuropathic Pain, Pain Management, Diabetic Neuropathy
Document Summary
May lead to serious physical, psychological, social and financial consequences. Converts energy produced by these stimuli into electrical energy. Begins in the periphery when a pain-producing stimulus sends an impulse across a sensory peripheral pain nerve fiber (nociceptor), initiating an action potential. Once transduction is complete, transmission of the pain impulse begins. Transmission: conduction along pathways (a-delta and c-delta fibers) Sending of impulse across a sensory pain nerve fiber (nociceptor) Chemical synapses involve transmitter chemicals that signal postsynaptic cells. Perception of pain: awareness of the characteristics of pain. The point at which a person is aware of the pain. The somatosensory cortex identifies the location and intensity of pain, whereas the association cortex, primarily the limbic system, determines how a person feels about it. Occurs in the spinal cord, causing muscles to contract reflexively, moving the body away from painful stimuli. A protective reflex response occurs with pain reception. Point at which a person feels pain.
