NU 325- EXAM 4 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
Nociceptive pain (NP) - ANS o specialized nerve endings located in the cutaneous and deep
musculoskeletal tissue that detect painful stimuli from the periphery and communicate this
information to the CNS
o Nociceptors carry pain signal to the CNS by two primary sensory (afferent) fibers: Aδ and C
fibers
o NP starts outside of the nervous system from actual or potential tissue damage. It has 4
phases.
Know the 4 phases of Nociception - ANS o Transduction
o Transmission
o Perception
o Modulation
Transduction - ANS noxious stimulus takes place in periphery
Transmission - ANS pain impulse moves from spinal cord to brain
Perception - ANS conscious awareness of painful sensation
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,Modulation - ANS inhibition of pain message
neuropathic pain (NEP) - ANS o results from an abnormal processing of the pain message
from an injury to nerve fibers
o Pain is described as: Constant dull ache, Burning, Stabbing, Electric shock, Tingling
o Much more difficult to assess and treat
o Nociceptive pain can develop into Neuropathic pain if poorly controlled
what can cause neuropathic pain - ANS diabetes mellitus, shingles (herpes zoster), HIV/AIDS,
sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, phantom limb pain, chemotherapy, stroke, multiple sclerosis,
tumor
visceral pain - ANS originates from larger internal organs (stomach, intestine, gallbladder,
pancreas); described as dull, deep, squeezing, or cramping
pain impulses transmitted along the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
deep somatic pain - ANS comes from blood vessels, joints, tendons, muscles, bone; may
result from pressure, trauma, or ischemia
- pain feels aching or throbbing
cutaneous pain - ANS derived from skin surface and subQ tissues
pain feels sharp, superficial, burning
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, referred pain - ANS pain felt in a site different from pain origin (pain is referred to where the
organ was located in fetal development)
(Ex. Appendix felt in umbilical region)
Acute pain - ANS Short-term self limiting; often follows a predictable trajectory and dissipates
after an injury heals
-Serves as a protective measure
-Ceases after an injury heals
ex. surgery, trauma, kidney stones
Chronic (persistent) pain - ANS Greater than 6 months
- malignant or non-malignant
Recognize nonverbal behaviors associated with pain - ANS guarding, grimacing, moaning,
agitation, restlessness, stillness, diaphoresis, change in vital signs
developmental variations in pain for the aging adult - ANS pain is a common experience
among 65yo and older, but is not normal
Understand the physiologic effect of pain on vital signs - ANS cardiac (tachycardia, increased
BP)
pulmonary (hypoventilation, hypoxia, atelectasis)
gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting)
renal (oliguria, urinary retention)
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 3
ANSWERS GRADED A+ 2026
Nociceptive pain (NP) - ANS o specialized nerve endings located in the cutaneous and deep
musculoskeletal tissue that detect painful stimuli from the periphery and communicate this
information to the CNS
o Nociceptors carry pain signal to the CNS by two primary sensory (afferent) fibers: Aδ and C
fibers
o NP starts outside of the nervous system from actual or potential tissue damage. It has 4
phases.
Know the 4 phases of Nociception - ANS o Transduction
o Transmission
o Perception
o Modulation
Transduction - ANS noxious stimulus takes place in periphery
Transmission - ANS pain impulse moves from spinal cord to brain
Perception - ANS conscious awareness of painful sensation
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 1
,Modulation - ANS inhibition of pain message
neuropathic pain (NEP) - ANS o results from an abnormal processing of the pain message
from an injury to nerve fibers
o Pain is described as: Constant dull ache, Burning, Stabbing, Electric shock, Tingling
o Much more difficult to assess and treat
o Nociceptive pain can develop into Neuropathic pain if poorly controlled
what can cause neuropathic pain - ANS diabetes mellitus, shingles (herpes zoster), HIV/AIDS,
sciatica, trigeminal neuralgia, phantom limb pain, chemotherapy, stroke, multiple sclerosis,
tumor
visceral pain - ANS originates from larger internal organs (stomach, intestine, gallbladder,
pancreas); described as dull, deep, squeezing, or cramping
pain impulses transmitted along the autonomic nervous system (ANS)
deep somatic pain - ANS comes from blood vessels, joints, tendons, muscles, bone; may
result from pressure, trauma, or ischemia
- pain feels aching or throbbing
cutaneous pain - ANS derived from skin surface and subQ tissues
pain feels sharp, superficial, burning
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 2
, referred pain - ANS pain felt in a site different from pain origin (pain is referred to where the
organ was located in fetal development)
(Ex. Appendix felt in umbilical region)
Acute pain - ANS Short-term self limiting; often follows a predictable trajectory and dissipates
after an injury heals
-Serves as a protective measure
-Ceases after an injury heals
ex. surgery, trauma, kidney stones
Chronic (persistent) pain - ANS Greater than 6 months
- malignant or non-malignant
Recognize nonverbal behaviors associated with pain - ANS guarding, grimacing, moaning,
agitation, restlessness, stillness, diaphoresis, change in vital signs
developmental variations in pain for the aging adult - ANS pain is a common experience
among 65yo and older, but is not normal
Understand the physiologic effect of pain on vital signs - ANS cardiac (tachycardia, increased
BP)
pulmonary (hypoventilation, hypoxia, atelectasis)
gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting)
renal (oliguria, urinary retention)
@COPYRIGHT 2026/2027 ALLRIGHTS RESERVED 3
