The nurse is reviewing the principles of nociception. During which phase of nociception does the conscious awareness of a painful sensation occur?

A) Perception
B) Modulation
C) Transduction
D) Transmission

Perception is the third phase of nociception and indicates the conscious awareness of a painful sensation. During this phase, the sensation is recognized by higher cortical structures and identified as pain. Modulation is the fourth phase of nociception in which the pain message is inhibited. Transduction is the first phase of nociception in which neurotransmitters are released and transmit the pain message along sensory afferent nerve fibers to the spinal cord. Transmission is the second phase of nociception in which the pain message moves from the spinal cord to the brain. The conscious awareness of a painful sensation occurs in the perception phase, third phase, of nociception.