The surgical intervention for pain management that involves cutting a nerve root to relieve pain is called? (ESIC2019)

Appeared in: UPRVUNL - 2021

Explanation

Rhizotomy is a neurosurgical procedure that involves the selective cutting or division of spinal nerve roots to block pain signals.
The term itself is derived from Greek: 'rhizo' meaning 'root' and '-tomy' meaning 'to cut,' which directly corresponds to the question's description of 'cutting a nerve root'.
It is primarily used for intractable pain or severe muscle spasticity when other treatments have failed, as it permanently interrupts the nerve pathway.

Option B: Cryoanalgesia uses extreme cold to freeze a nerve, causing a temporary block of pain signals. It does not involve surgically cutting the nerve.
Option C: Radiofrequency ablation uses heat generated by radio waves to create a thermal lesion and destroy nerve tissue. It is a form of ablation, not a surgical incision to cut the nerve.
Option D: Cordotomy involves cutting tracts within the spinal cord itself (e.g., the spinothalamic tract), not the nerve root. The anatomical target is different.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Surgical and neuroablative pain management procedures helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Post-rhizotomy, nurses must perform frequent neurological assessments to monitor for motor weakness or sensory loss beyond the intended area, which could indicate complications.
Patient safety is paramount. The nurse must educate the patient that the affected area will lack sensation, increasing the risk for undetected injuries like burns or pressure sores.
What if? If the patient required a reversible procedure, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) would be a more appropriate choice, as it modulates pain signals with electricity without permanently destroying nerve tissue.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'cutting' and 'nerve root'.
Next, analyze the options by breaking down the medical terminology. The suffix '-tomy' is a common indicator for 'to cut' or 'make an incision'.
Focus on the prefixes of the options ending in '-tomy': 'Rhizo-' means 'root' and 'Cordo-' means 'cord'.
Combine the prefix and suffix: 'Rhizotomy' literally means 'root cutting', which is a direct match for the action described in the question.
Distinguish this from 'Cordotomy', which means 'cord cutting', referring to the spinal cord—a different anatomical target.
Eliminate 'Cryoanalgesia' (involves freezing) and 'Radiofrequency ablation' (involves heating) as their mechanisms do not involve surgical cutting.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 240-242

E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 2 Part 2 p. 143-145

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