Deck 7: Care of Patients With Pain

Question 1

The nurse explains that the pain threshold and pain tolerance are different in that the pain threshold is the point at which:

A)pain is perceived.
B)the person responds to pain.
C)pharmacologic intervention is required.
D)signs such as grimacing or groaning are observed.

Answer 1

pain is perceived.

Question 2

The patient is experiencing phantom pain following the amputation of her foot.Which type of pain is most associated with phantom pain?

A)Nociceptive
B)Mild
C)Uncontrollable
D)Neuropathic

Answer 2

Neuropathic

Question 3

The nurse takes into consideration that the 45-year-old male Arab patient who is in pain will probably:

A)not request pain medication.
B)call for pain relief to control pain.
C)become irritable and demanding.
D)hide pain from his family.

Answer 3

call for pain relief to control pain.

Question 4

The patient who had abdominal surgery this morning refuses the opioid pain medication for fear of addiction.The most informative response by the nurse is:

A)"Opioids are addictive, whereas nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not."
B)"Addiction is mainly a matter of attitude."
C)"Fewer than 3% of people become addicted to drugs used for pain relief."
D)"Although addiction does occur, it is quickly reversed."

Question 5

While bathing the patient,the nurse notes that a transdermal patch that was meant to be on the patient for 3 days is now gone on the second day.The nurse should:

A)document the loss and apply a fresh patch to be replaced in 3 days.
B)report the loss to the charge nurse.
C)document the loss, replace the patch, and continue with the original schedule for replacement.
D)remind the patient that, until the patch is replaced in 24 hours, oral pain relief will be available.

Question 6

When a patient reports pain relief after having received a placebo,the nurse concludes that the patient:

A)was not experiencing pain.
B)is relieved of the anxiety that there is no ready source of pain remedy.
C)is demonstrating "attention-seeking" behavior.
D)is being manipulative.

Question 7

When the patient receiving morphine sulfate intravenously breaks out in hives and begins to itch,the nurse should initially:

A)slow the flow rate of the morphine.
B)stop the IV drip.
C)report the condition to the charge nurse.
D)give prescribed antihistamine.

Question 8

The nurse clarifies the basics of the gate theory of pain control as:

A)pain is perceived as opening a "gate" to pain symptoms.
B)the "gate" can be closed to pain by the use of nonpainful stimuli.
C)the "gate" swings back and forth, first allowing pain, then blocking it.
D)the patient can be trained to close the "gate" to pain.

Question 9

When giving care to a 30-year-old Hispanic male,the nurse is aware that the young man will most likely:

A)be stoic about pain.
B)prefer a pill to an injection.
C)ignore somatic interventions such as heat and massage.
D)confess to pain, but refuse pain medication.

Question 10

The patient on frequent doses of meperidine (Demerol)complains of constipation.The initial intervention the nurse should make is:

A)offer fruit such as prunes or apricots.
B)request an order for an enema.
C)report the condition to the charge nurse.
D)increase oral fluid intake.

Question 11

The nurse explains that acupressure and acupuncture are effective pain relief modalities that focus on specific body areas called:

A)triangulation.
B)hot spots.
C)meridians.
D)zones.

Question 12

In order to provide the optimum nursing care,it is important for the nurse to know that the standard of pain and pain control is best determined by which person?

A)Physician
B)Nurse
C)Patient's family
D)Patient

Question 13

The nurse stresses to the home health patient that the acetaminophen pain medication should be taken:

A)as frequently as needed.
B)before pain is severe.
C)when pain becomes unbearable.
D)sparingly and with caution.

Question 14

To help with pain control,the nurse plans distraction activities for a patient to be timed to:

A)coincide with mealtimes.
B)bridge the time between administration and onset.
C)be just previous to bedtime.
D)diminish drowsiness and sleep.

Question 15

The nurse is caring for a patient who is having constant nociceptor pain.The nurse can best address the patient's pain during the perception phase of pain with which intervention?

A)Administer nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for moderate pain.
B)Ask the physician if an opioid could be ordered to treat the patient's pain when severe.
C)Engage the patient in conversation regarding his family, hobbies, and plans following discharge from the facility.
D)Determine if the patient typically takes a neurotransmitter uptake blocker medication for pain control.

Question 16

The nurse instructing a family member in the technique of massage will stress that he should use:

A)heat and a mild menthol cream for comfort.
B)progressively intense pounding with sides of the hands.
C)gentle massage of areas of inflammation.
D)long, firm strokes.

Question 17

The home health nurse cautions the 75-year-old patient that the warm compresses that are used on his swollen elbow should be left in place only for _____ minutes.

A)5 to 10
B)15 to 20
C)25 to 30
D)35 to 40

Question 18

The hospitalized postsurgical patient is reluctant to take the opioid pain medication because of drowsiness.The most informative response made by the nurse would be that:

A)mental stimulation after the medication will keep the patient more alert.
B)sleep and analgesia promote healing.
C)drowsiness is an undesirable side effect.
D)the medication should be taken only before bedtime.

Question 19

Because of the threat of lowering the seizure threshold,the home health nurse would suggest that the 85-year-old patient limit the use of the pain medication:

A)ibuprofen (Motrin).
B)naproxen (Aleve).
C)tramadol (Ultram).
D)acetaminophen (Tylenol).

Question 20

The student nurse understands proper documentation of a pain assessment as evidenced by which note in the patient's record?

A)Pt. complains of local sharp pain (4/5) in lower abdomen upon standing.
B)Pt. complains of stomach pain after eating (3/5).
C)Pt. reports standing makes his stomach hurt.
D)Pt. reports sharp pain in stomach.

Question 21

The nurse explains to the patient with neuropathic pain that the most effective pain control will be achieved through the use of: (Select all that apply.)

A)analgesics.
B)opioids.
C)antidepressants.
D)anti-inflammatory agents.
E)anticonvulsants.

Question 22

Pain receptors in the skin,connective tissue,bone,joints,and muscles are classified as __________.

Question 23

The nurse is caring for a patient who is 1-day postoperative following a colon resection.The patient has degenerative joint disease and uses a pain medication patch to control this chronic pain.When planning care for this patient,the nurse:

A)anticipates that the pain medication patch will control the postoperative pain.
B)knows that this patient will most likely require more pain medication than most patients undergoing a colon resection.
C)realizes that the patient will be afraid to ask for additional pain medication for fear of being viewed as addicted to pain medicine.
D)expects the patient to forget about the pain caused from the degenerated joint disease.

Question 24

Matching
Arrange the sequence of nociceptive pain in the order in which the process occurs.

Step: 4

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

Question 25

Matching
Arrange the sequence of nociceptive pain in the order in which the process occurs.

Step: 1

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

Question 26

Matching
Arrange the sequence of nociceptive pain in the order in which the process occurs.

Step: 3

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

Question 27

The nurse anticipates the needs of several patients being cared for.The nurse is correct in anticipating that the patient who may experience the highest level of pain is a:

A)23 year old experiencing pain related to a broken femur.
B)45 year old experiencing pain following a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
C)67 year old experiencing chronic back pain.
D)89 year old experiencing pain related to osteoarthritis.

Question 28

The nurse using the gate theory as a guide to pain management will offer: (Select all that apply.)

A)massage.
B)social activities.
C)music.
D)interactive distraction.
E)a quiet environment.

Question 29

The functions of endorphins are believed to be: (Select all that apply.)

A)inhibition of unpleasant stimuli.
B)diminished anxiety.
C)relief of pain.
D)feeling of euphoria.
E)increased blood pressure.

Question 30

Although the patient with a kidney stone denies pain,the nurse assesses cues that indicate that pain is perceived.These cues include: (Select all that apply.)

A)increased pulse rate.
B)decreased respiratory rate.
C)sweating.
D)muscle tension.
E)nausea.

Question 31

Matching
Arrange the sequence of nociceptive pain in the order in which the process occurs.

Step: 2

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