Question 1

The nurse is preparing to conduct a pain assessment.What should the nurse include in this assessment?
(Select all that apply)

Accepted Answer

Pain assessment typically includes evaluating the duration (how long the pain has lasted), location (where the pain is felt), intensity (how severe the pain is), and etiology (the cause or origin of the pain). Neurology is not specifically assessed in a pain assessment, although neurological symptoms may be relevant to understanding some aspects of the pain's cause or effects.

Question 2

The nurse is preparing to discharge a client home with a prescription for ibuprofen (Motrin).What should the nurse instruct as a common side effect of this medication?

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal (GI) distress, such as stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea, is a common side effect of ibuprofen (Motrin). Shakiness, tremors, and rash are less common side effects and not typically associated with ibuprofen use.

Question 3

The client scheduled to undergo minor surgery states,"The physician will not give me pain medication after surgery because my surgery is only minor." What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

This response acknowledges the client's concern and provides accurate information about the possibility of experiencing pain after minor surgery. The nurse reassures the client that they can have pain medication if needed.

Question 4

A client is complaining of having the same type of pain that he experienced prior to being diagnosed with cancer.The nurse realizes that which process will influence this client's perception of pain?

Accepted Answer

Perception refers to the individual's interpretation of pain based on personal experiences and past pain episodes. In this case, the client's perception of pain is likely influenced by their prior experience with cancer and the associated pain. Transmission refers to the movement of pain signals from the site of injury or damage to the spinal cord and brain. Modulation refers to the process by which the nervous system can increase or decrease the perception of pain. Transduction refers to the conversion of a painful stimulus (such as tissue damage) into an electrical signal that can be transmitted by the nerves. While all of these processes can contribute to the experience of pain, perception is the most relevant factor in this scenario.

Question 5

The client is taking meperidine (Demerol)and experiencing pruritus.Which medication should the nurse expect the physician to order?

Accepted Answer

Meperidine (Demerol) is known to cause pruritus (itching) as a side effect. Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl) is a first-generation antihistamine that can be used to alleviate itching. It is an appropriate medication for the nurse to expect the physician to order in this situation. Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist used to reverse the effects of opioids and is not effective in treating pruritus. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is an analgesic (pain reliever) and is not effective in treating pruritus. Normal saline is not a medication used to treat pruritus.

Question 6

The nurse is to administer acetaminophen (Tylenol)prn to a client for a headache;however,the client has been vomiting all day.Which route should the nurse use to administer the medication?

Accepted Answer

Since the client has been vomiting, the oral route is not appropriate. Vaginal route is not a common method of administering acetaminophen. Intravenous route is also not necessary unless it's an emergency situation. The rectal route is the best choice in this case as it bypasses the digestive system and avoids the possibility of vomiting.

Question 7

A client tells the nurse that an ice pack works well to reduce the intensity of back pain.The nurse realizes that the client is implementing

Accepted Answer

The client's use of an ice pack to reduce the intensity of back pain is an example of the gate control theory of pain. This theory proposes that non-painful stimuli (such as a cold temperature from an ice pack) can close the "gates" to the transmission of painful stimuli, reducing their perception. This technique is often used in physical therapy to reduce pain and inflammation. Placebo (A) refers to an inactive treatment or substance that produces a therapeutic effect due to the patient's belief in its efficacy, distraction (B) refers to focusing on something else to divert attention away from pain, and guided imagery (C) involves imagining a pleasant or peaceful scene to promote relaxation and reduce pain. While these techniques can be helpful for some individuals, they are not specifically related to the gate control theory of pain.

Question 8

A client recovering from a left below-the-knee amputation is experiencing left foot pain.The nurse realizes the client is experiencing which type of pain?

Accepted Answer

Phantom limb pain is a type of pain that occurs after amputation, where the client feels pain in the limb that is no longer there. In this scenario, since the client is experiencing pain in the left foot, the nurse can determine that the pain is likely phantom limb pain.

Question 9

The nurse provides an oral opiate to a client with pain.In how many hours should the nurse expect the client to need another dose of the medication?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should expect the client to need another dose of the medication in 4 hours. This is based on the typical duration of action for most oral opiates. However, it is important to assess the client's pain level and response to the medication before administering another dose.

Question 10

The nurse is caring for a client who is using morphine through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).What medication should the nurse have readily available?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should have naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan) readily available when caring for a client who is using morphine through PCA. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that can reverse the effects of morphine and other opioids. In case of respiratory depression or opioid overdose, naloxone can be administered to quickly reverse the effects of the opioid and restore breathing.

Question 11

Which of the following objective assessment data will the nurse obtain before administering a prescribed opioid medication to a client?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should obtain the client's respiratory rate as opioid medications can cause respiratory depression, which can be lethal. Pain level, nausea, and skin color are subjective data and may not give a clear indication of the client's physiological response to the medication.

Question 12

A client is surprised to learn of the diagnosis of a heart attack when there was no chest pain experienced but only some left shoulder pain.The nurse should explain that the client experienced which type of pain?

Accepted Answer

Referred pain occurs when pain is felt in an area that is distant from the actual source of the pain. In the case of a heart attack, pain may be referred to the left shoulder or arm. It is not phantom pain, which is pain felt in a body part that is no longer there, nor is it visceral pain, which originates in the internal organs. Chronic pain refers to pain that persists for a prolonged period of time.

Question 13

The nurse is caring for a postpartum client receiving pain medication through an epidural catheter.Which assessment finding should the nurse report immediately to the physician?

Accepted Answer

A respiratory rate of 8 is too low and could indicate respiratory depression, which is a potential complication of epidural pain medication. The physician should be notified immediately. The other options are within normal limits or do not indicate a concern.

Question 14

A client states that a cramping pain started 2 hours ago and is not accompanied by any nausea or vomiting.Which type of pain is this client most likely experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Acute pain typically has a sudden onset and can be described as sharp or cramping. The fact that the pain started recently and is cramping in nature suggests that this client is experiencing acute pain. The absence of nausea or vomiting doesn't provide additional information about the type of pain being experienced.

Question 15

A client experiencing pain has been prescribed aspirin.The nurse realizes that this medication will affect which pain process?

Accepted Answer

Aspirin affects the transduction process by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are involved in the initiation of pain signals.

Question 16

The nurse is performing discharge teaching for a client taking an NSAID.The client states he has heard that taking an antacid with this medication will help decrease the incidence of upset stomach.What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

Antacids can decrease the absorption and effectiveness of NSAIDs, so it is not recommended to take them together. It is important for the nurse to provide accurate information to the client to avoid potential complications.

Question 17

A client recovering from hip surgery is reluctant to ambulate because of the amount of pain that occurred with walking prior to the surgery.What can the nurse do to help this client with pain control?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client recovering from hip surgery is...

Question 18

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client prescribed an opioid medication.What should the nurse suggest to decrease the risk of constipation with this medication?

Accepted Answer

Opioid medications can cause constipation by slowing down the movement of the digestive tract. Increasing fluid intake can help soften stools and make them easier to pass, reducing the risk of constipation. Antihistamines are not effective in preventing constipation caused by opioids, while assessing respiratory and heart rates are important for monitoring potential adverse effects of opioids but do not directly address constipation.

Question 19

A client is experiencing pain after spraining an ankle.The nurse realizes that the client is most likely experiencing which type of pain?

Accepted Answer

Somatic pain is pain that originates from musculoskeletal structures such as bones, ligaments, and muscles. Spraining an ankle involves damage to these structures, thus the client is most likely experiencing somatic pain. Mild or severe pain can be experienced with somatic pain. Visceral pain is pain that originates from organs and is not applicable in this situation.

Question 20

The nurse is caring for an 8-month-old infant.What is the best tool the nurse should use for evaluating pain in this infant?

Accepted Answer

The FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) scale is a pain assessment tool that is effective for infants between the ages of 2 months and 7 years. It is based on observations of the infant's behavior and includes categories such as facial expression and leg movement. This tool is often used in clinical settings and has been shown to be reliable and valid for evaluating pain in infants. The other options, Wong-Baker FACES, visual analog scale, and numeric rating scale, are more appropriate for use in older children and adults.

Quiz 46: Pain Management

The nurse is preparing to conduct a pain assessment.What should the nurse include in this assessment? (Select all that apply)

The nurse is preparing to discharge a client home with a prescription for ibuprofen (Motrin) .What should the nurse instruct as a common side effect of this medication?