Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What term describes an increased sensation of pain?

1. Nociception

2. Hyperalgia

3. Allodynia

4. Analgesia

The correct answer is: Hyperalgia

The term that describes an increased sensation of pain is hyperalgesia. This phenomenon occurs when a person becomes more sensitive to pain stimuli, leading to an amplified response to painful stimuli that would normally be tolerable. Hyperalgesia can result from various factors, such as tissue injury, inflammation, or certain neurological conditions. Understanding hyperalgesia is essential in pain management and medical contexts, as it emphasizes the complexity of pain perception and the significance of tailored treatment approaches for individuals who experience heightened pain sensitivity. This concept is critical for nurses and healthcare professionals in evaluating patients' pain levels and determining appropriate interventions. The other terms provided refer to different aspects of pain and sensory perception: nociception relates to the process of detecting pain; allodynia refers to the experience of pain from stimuli that do not typically provoke such a sensation; and analgesia describes the absence or relief of pain. Each of these terms highlights different dimensions of how pain can be perceived and experienced, reinforcing the importance of accurate terminology in pain management discussions.