One week ago Terry stepped on a nail while walking around barefoot in her yard. The spot where the skin was punctured still hurts, reminding her to take it easy on her foot. The soreness Terry is experiencing is known as _____ pain.

• A. visceral
• B. gate-control
• C. pressure
• D. somatic

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the context: Terry stepped on a nail, which caused a physical injury to her foot. The pain she feels is a direct result of this injury.
2. Identify the type of pain: The pain Terry is experiencing is localized to the area where the injury occurred, which is typical of somatic pain.
3. Differentiate between types of pain: Visceral pain is related to internal organs, gate-control theory explains how pain is modulated, and pressure pain is related to mechanical pressure. Somatic pain, however, is associated with skin, muscles, and soft tissues.
4. Recognize the characteristics of somatic pain: It is usually sharp and well-defined, often resulting from external injuries like cuts or punctures.
5. Conclude that the pain Terry is experiencing is somatic pain, as it fits the description of being localized and resulting from an external injury.