- Acute pain is serves as a warning that injury has occurred.
- The pain is limited to an area.
- The pain stimulates the sympathetic nervous system.
- The sympathetic nervous system causes increase heart rates, respiratory rates, apprehension, sweating, restlessness, and dilated pupils.
- Somatic, visceral and referred pain are types of acute pain.
- Somatic is superficial pain that is associated with pain from the skin.
- Visceral pain is associated with pain from internal organs.
- Referred pain is associated with pain that is distal from the stimulus.
(Helms & Barone, 2008)
As an emergency room nurse, I have seen many "repeat flyers" come in complaining of pain. It can be frustrating at times, but pain is so subjective. Who am I to say if the person is in pain or not. I try to treat each one with the same dignity and respect that I would want for my family.
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