PAIN in Cancer

Psychological Causes:

depends on the client’s perceived

Causes:
threat.
1.Bone marrow destruction
1.Fear or anxiety generated
2.Obstruction of an organ from the effects
3.Compression of peripheral nerves
2.Loss or threat of loss
4.Infiltration or distention of tissue
3.Frustration
5.Inflammation, infection and
necrosis
 Assessment:

1.Severity and duration

2.What, when and where pain occurs

3.Understand as client views it

4.Nature of the disease

5.Probable life expectancy

6.Temperament and psychological state

7.Occupational, economic, educational background

8.Vital sign

a. Low to moderate pain and superficial in origin (sympathetic)

- Increase BP, PR, RR and muscle tension

b. Severe pain or visceral in origin (parasympathetic)

- decrease BP, PR, N/V, weakness

9.Behavior as indicator of pain -

-Posture

-Gesture

-Daily activities

Medication Management:

1.Acetaminophen, ASA, NSAIDs (mild pain)

2.Opioids – CODEINE

added to regimen as pain increases

3.Intraspinal Morphine Administration

- an implantable infusion pump delivers a continual supply of opiate to the epidural or subarachnoid
space
 Surgical Management:

1.Nerve blocks

involves interruption of nerve

pathways some place along the path
of transmission from periphery to
brain.

2. Non invasive Modalities

•Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation

(TENS)

electrical stimulation of the skin

surface over a painful area