Pain Management and Pharmacology Flashcards
7 cards from real CCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pain Management and Pharmacology flashcards as text
In the gate control theory of pain, activation of large-diameter Aβ fibers is proposed to reduce pain by:
Answer: Inhibiting transmission from small C-fibers at the spinal cord level
Aβ fiber activation stimulates inhibitory interneurons in the dorsal horn that 'close the gate' to nociceptive input from C- and Aδ-fibers.
Transdermal fentanyl patches in dogs differ from cats primarily in that dogs:
Answer: Metabolize fentanyl faster and may need higher patch concentrations
Dogs generally metabolize fentanyl faster than cats and may require larger patch sizes or more frequent changes to maintain therapeutic plasma levels.
Which pain assessment tool is specifically validated for post-operative pain in dogs and uses behavioral and physiological indicators?
Answer: Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (GCMPS)
The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (GCMPS) is a validated multidimensional tool for assessing acute post-operative pain specifically in dogs.
A rehabilitation patient is receiving maropitant (Cerenia) concurrently with opioids. The analgesic benefit of maropitant is related to its:
Answer: Neurokinin-1 (NK-1) receptor antagonism
Maropitant blocks NK-1 receptors, which are activated by substance P, providing visceral analgesia in addition to its primary antiemetic effect.
Neuropathic pain in companion animals is BEST characterized by:
Answer: Hypersensitivity and pain outlasting the original injury
Neuropathic pain involves altered nervous system processing, leading to hypersensitivity (allodynia, hyperalgesia) that persists beyond the expected healing period.
Which statement about buprenorphine is CORRECT in the context of veterinary rehabilitation?
Answer: It is a partial mu agonist with a ceiling effect on analgesia
Buprenorphine is a partial mu-opioid agonist with high receptor affinity and a ceiling effect, making dose escalation beyond a threshold ineffective.
During laser therapy for pain management, which wavelength range is considered optimal for tissue penetration and analgesic effect in companion animals?
Answer: 600–1100 nm (red to near-infrared)
Red to near-infrared wavelengths (600–1100 nm) penetrate tissues most effectively and are used in photobiomodulation for pain relief and tissue healing.