Final answer:
To describe an elderly patient's intermittent pain, the term used is chronic and episodic. The pain assessment might involve understanding its neuropathic or inflammatory nature, with potential involvement of the immune system. Clinicians may use subjective scales to quantify the pain and guide treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term to describe your elderly patient's intermittent pain would be chronic and episodic. When pain occurs on and off over an extended period, it is considered chronic, yet the intermittent nature implies episodes of pain interspersed with periods of relief. Considering the patient's elderly status, it's important to assess for neuropathic or inflammatory pain, as chronic pain in the elderly can often be accompanied by these conditions. Specifically, chronic pain associated with inflammation might involve the immune system, where chemical messengers such as macrophages play an active role in the pain experience.
In the mentioned patient cases, understanding the subjective nature of pain, as it cannot be measured objectively like signs of a disease, clinicians may rely on the patient's description or use tools like the Wong-Baker Faces pain-rating scale to gauge the intensity of the pain. This assessment can help in determining the most effective treatment option, which could range from relaxation therapy to the most sophisticated interventions depending on the individual's specific condition and pain characteristics.