Question 1

A patient asks the nurse why the pain he experienced prior to a myocardial infarction was felt primarily in his left arm. The nurse's best response would be which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Pain in the arm related to cardiac tissue damage is a type of referred pain, meaning the pain originates in one part of the body but is felt in another. In this case, the heart is the source of the pain, but it is perceived in the left arm.

Question 2

The nurse asks a patient, who refuses to take pain medication for chronic back pain, to explain his reasons for avoiding medication. This nurse is attempting to do which of the following?

Accepted Answer

By asking the patient about their reasons for avoiding pain medication, the nurse is attempting to identify a potential barrier to the patient's pain control treatment plan. This information can be used to develop an individualized pain management plan that takes the patient's concerns and preferences into account.

Question 3

A patient with chronic orthopedic pain is considering the use of a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator to reduce the pain. The nurse realizes that which of the following are advantages of this device with pain control?

Accepted Answer

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulators (TENS) can be used to reduce pain and avoid the side effects of pain medication. However, TENS may not be effective for all types of pain and may not be appropriate for all patients. The cost of TENS may vary depending on the specific device and insurance coverage.

Question 4

If using the neuromatrix theory of pain, which of the following will the nurse include when assessing a patient's amount of pain?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If using the neuromatrix theory of pain,...

Question 5

The nurse, caring for a patient recovering from surgery, knows that which intervention will provide the most pain relief for the patient?

Accepted Answer

Offering pain relief before the patient complains of pain is a proactive approach to pain management that can help to prevent or minimize pain rather than having to treat an already-existing pain. It is important to manage pain as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming worse and to improve patient outcomes. Waiting for the patient to describe the pain specifically or assessing the pain level every four hours may lead to inadequate pain relief and unnecessary suffering for the patient. Allowing the patient to "sleep off" the anesthesia before providing pain medication may result in the patient waking up in pain, which can be detrimental to their recovery.

Question 6

The nurse is planning care for a patient with chronic pain. Which of the following would be the most appropriate pain control goal for this patient?

Accepted Answer

The most appropriate goal for managing chronic pain is to reduce the focus on pain, as it is often not possible to be completely pain-free. This approach helps patients manage their pain more effectively and improve their quality of life.

Question 7

A patient is watching a comedy on the television and has not requested pain medication for over six hours. The nurse realizes that the patient is utilizing which of the following as a form of pain control?

Accepted Answer

The patient is using distraction as a form of pain control by watching a comedy on the television. Distraction is a common technique used to divert attention away from pain and can include activities such as watching TV, listening to music, or engaging in a hobby. Meditation, guided imagery, and biofeedback are other forms of pain control, but they are not evident in the scenario provided.

Question 8

The nurse is planning to administer a pain medication to a patient who is two hours postoperative following bowel resection surgery. The patient has four standing orders for pain medication. The nurse should administer which medication based on this situation?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous administration by patient demand and under patient control, often referred to as patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), is most appropriate for immediate and effective pain management in a postoperative setting, especially after major surgery like a bowel resection. This method allows the patient to manage their pain effectively while minimizing the risk of overdose.

Question 9

Which of the following explains why the nurse should assess each patient's pain response individually in every situation?

Accepted Answer

Everyone's level of pain tolerance is unique and can be influenced by various factors, including cultural background, age, previous experiences with pain, and physical or psychological conditions. Therefore, assessing each patient's pain response individually allows the nurse to tailor pain management interventions to meet the patient's specific needs.

Question 10

The nurse is managing care for a group of patients with pain. Which of the following is an example of a process that may cause acute pain?

Accepted Answer

A cholecystectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the gallbladder. This is an example of a process that may cause acute pain. Phantom limb pain, complex regional pain syndrome, and degenerative joint disease are examples of chronic pain conditions.

Question 11

A patient scheduled for knee surgery tells the nurse, "I know I won't feel as much pain with this knee surgery as I did with the other one when I was 20 years younger." Which of the following should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

Pain perception can increase with age due to various factors, including changes in pain processing and potential comorbidities.

Question 12

A female patient tells the nurse that at times the pain that she has is so severe that she cannot move or get out of bed at home. The nurse realizes that this amount of pain can be due to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A female patient tells the nurse that...

Question 13

A patient recovering from abdominal surgery is refusing hydromorphone (Dilaudid) because she has heard that people may become addicted. She is crying and rates her pain 10 of 10. Which of the following statements should the nurse include as part of the patient's education?  Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

- A) The risk of addiction to narcotics like hydromorphone when used as prescribed for acute pain is low, less than 1-3%.- B) Untreated or poorly managed pain can lead to stress responses in the body, which can impair wound healing.- C) Uncontrolled pain can increase the risk of blood clots due to factors like decreased mobility and increased stress responses.

Question 14

After assessing a patient for pain, the nurse concludes that the patient's pain is caused by a mechanical stimulus. Which of the following would cause this type of pain?

Accepted Answer

A mechanical stimulus refers to physical damage or trauma to tissue such as a muscle tear, which can cause pain. Burns and frostbite can cause tissue damage as well but they are considered thermal stimuli. Myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, is caused by a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle and is not classified as a mechanical stimulus.

Question 15

A patient, diagnosed with depression, tells the nurse that his pain has been "unrelenting" over the last several weeks. The nurse realizes that which of the following can explain this patient's amount of pain?

Accepted Answer

Depression can cause an increase in pain sensations. It is known that depression can alter the way the brain perceives pain, making it more intense and harder to manage. Therefore, it is not uncommon for patients diagnosed with depression to experience unrelenting pain. Option B and D can be ruled out as the patient has expressed that the pain has been ongoing for several weeks and medications are not mentioned. Option C may be a possibility, but it is not the best option in this scenario as the patient did not report any medication for pain management.

Question 16

A patient tells the nurse that he has had deep burning muscle pain for most of his adult life. With this information, the nurse realizes that this patient's pain is being transmitted along which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Deep burning pain is typically transmitted by unmyelinated C fibers. A-delta fibers transmit sharp, sudden pain. Endorphins and dynorphins are endogenous opioids that help to modulate pain, but they are not directly involved in pain transmission.

Question 17

A patient is being treated for chronic pain. The nurse realizes that which of the following is typical of chronic pain?

Accepted Answer

Chronic pain often persists even after underlying pathology has resolved or is not easily identifiable. This can result in inconsistent pain ratings that do not align with the severity of the condition. Chronic pain typically lasts longer than two months and may be more severe than acute pain.

Question 18

A patient tells the nurse that she is unable to sleep throughout the night because of leg pain. Which of the following will the nurse most likely assess in this patient?

Accepted Answer

The patient's complaint of leg pain preventing sleep suggests an increase in pain that is interfering with their ability to rest.

Question 19

A patient with severe nerve pain from spinal cord compression is considering surgery to sever the nerves in order to relieve the pain. Which of the following should the nurse encourage the patient to consider prior to having this surgery?

Accepted Answer

Severing nerves can potentially result in loss of motor function associated with those nerves, which could lead to paralysis or weakness. It is important for the patient to fully understand the risks and benefits of the surgery before making a decision.

Question 20

A patient is receiving a narcotic for severe acute pain. Which of the following should the nurse encourage the patient to consume on a greater level due to the pain medication?

Accepted Answer

Narcotics can cause constipation as a side effect, so increasing fiber intake can help alleviate this issue.

Quiz 9: Nursing Care of Patients in Pain