Visceral Pain course for Nurses

This session describes the nature of visceral pains in the chronic pain setting and explores why these pains are hard to pinpoint and often confusing to manage.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Explain how the innervation of the viscera differs from somatic innervation
• Differentiate visceral pain from other types of pain
• Differentiate the diagnosis of visceral pain
• Assess the management options for pain affecting the viscera

It is important to distinguish visceral pains, understand their difference from somatic pains and be able to manage them appropriately. It is also important to notice any changes in the patient's condition that may indicate a sinister and/or treatable condition.

This session focuses on the conditions where there is no identifiable, or treatable, underlying organic cause.