Deck 48: Pain Management

Question 1

A client with chronic back pain is asking the nurse for pain relief options that are non-pharmacological. Under the gate theory, the nurse suggests:

A) contralateral stimulation.
B) massage and relaxation.
C) transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
D) meditation and rituals.

Answer 1

transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Question 2

The duration of action for most opiates is how long?

A) Eight hours.
B) Four hours.
C) Six hours.
D) Two hours.

Answer 2

Four hours.

Question 3

If a client is having cardiac pain, but relates the pain is in the left shoulder and denies chest pain, this client is experiencing which of the following?

A) Chronic pain.
B) Referred pain.
C) Phantom pain.
D) Visceral pain.

Answer 3

Referred pain.

Question 4

The client is admitted to the emergency department with complaints of abdominal pain. The client denies any nausea or vomiting. When asked, the client states the pain started two hours ago and describes the pain as "cramping". The client is most likely experiencing what type of pain?

A) Visceral pain.
B) Phantom pain.
C) Acute pain.
D) Chronic pain.

Question 5

While conducting a pain assessment, the nurse knows to assess which of the following?

A) Duration
B) Location
C) Intensity
D) Aetiology
E) Neurology

Question 6

The client is taking an opioid analgesic and experiencing pruritus. Which of the following medications would the nurse expect the physician to order?

A) Paracetamol (Panadol).
B) Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan).
C) Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl).
D) Normal saline.

Question 7

A newly graduated nurse is using the Mnemonic for pain assessment COLDERR. The last R is about:

A) relief.
B) response.
C) radiation.
D) reason.

Question 8

If a client rates his pain a seven on a scale of 0 to 10, the intensity of his pain would be documented as which of the following?

A) Severe pain.
B) Physiological pain.
C) Moderate pain.
D) Mild pain.

Question 9

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

A) "You can only have about half the dose since your surgery is minor."
B) "You are correct. I will need to teach you non-pharmacologic pain relief measures."
C) "You are correct. The doctor will not order any pain medication."
D) "You can experience pain after minor surgery, so you can have pain medication."

Question 10

A phenomenon where the nurse will need to administer increased doses of a drug, to achieve the same analgesic effect is:

A) addiction.
B) dependence.
C) tolerance.
D) abuse.

Question 11

The nurse is caring for a client presenting to the emergency department with a possible sprained ankle. This client is most likely experiencing what type of pain?

A) Severe pain.
B) Somatic pain.
C) Visceral pain.
D) Mild pain.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a client who underwent a left below-the-knee amputation. The client calls and asks the nurse for pain medication. The client informs the nurse he has left foot pain. What type of pain is the client describing?

A) Acute pain.
B) Phantom limb pain.
C) Chronic pain.
D) Narcotic-induced pain.

Question 13

Which of the following objective assessment data does the nurse know to obtain before administering any opioid?

A) Pain level as stated by client.
B) Any nausea the client may be feeling.
C) Respiratory rate.
D) Colour of skin.

Question 14

The nurse is admitting a client to the emergency department with complaints of severe abdominal pain. What is the nurse's first action?

A) Start an IV line of lactated Ringer's solution.
B) Administer IV pain medication as ordered.
C) Place a Foley catheter to bedside drainage.
D) Assess pain using a scale of 1 to 10.

Question 15

Nurses use the gate control theory of pain for nociceptor pain by?

A) Stopping nociceptor firing
B) Distraction techniques
C) Apply heat or cold packs
D) Reducing fear and anxiety
E) Reminding the patient of past pain experiences
F) Changing their daily activities

Question 16

The nurse is preparing to discharge a client home with a prescription for ibuprofen. Which of the following is a well-known side effect of this drug?

A) Tremors.
B) Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
C) Rash.
D) Shakiness.

Question 17

A client who has been having regular analgesia for her broken leg is still complaining of moderate pain to the nurse. The nurse should:

A) tell the patient to ignore the pain as it will go away.
B) explore the client's preferred methods of pain relief.
C) cease the current analgesia as it doesn't work.
D) tell the doctor that a different analgesic is required.

Question 18

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

A) FLACC scale.
B) Wong-Baker FACES.
C) Visual analogue scale.
D) Any of the above.

Question 19

An older adult is denying having pain as he is concerned about becoming dependent on drugs and having to change his lifestyle. The nurse should:

A) accept his decision and let him deal with pain.
B) provide massage and relaxation interventions.
C) clarify any misconceptions he has.
D) tell him that he will only need to adapt a few things.

Question 20

The nurse is discussing the factors that affect pain with a client. Which of the following should be included?

A) Pain location.
B) Developmental stage.
C) Cultural values.
D) Alleviating factors.
E) Past pain experiences.
F) Support networks.
G) Meaning of pain.
H) Effect on ADLs.

Question 21

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

A) "Antacids reduce the absorption and therefore the effectiveness of the NSAID."
B) "Antacids help to reduce the incidence of pain."
C) "Antacids help to reduce the incidence of gastric bleeding that could occur with the use of NSAIDs."
D) "Antacids should never be taken with an NSAID."

Question 22

The nurse is caring for a client with a continuous local anaesthetic. Which of the following interventions will the nurse perform?

A) Assess for pain every two to four hours while the client is awake.
B) Change dressing every two to four hours.
C) Check the dressing every shift.
D) Assess for signs of toxicity.
E) Check the site of the catheter.

Question 23

A client has phantom pain from an amputation of his right leg. He has refused analgesia and asks the nurse for an alternative non-pharmacological treatment. The nurse suggests:

A) heat packs to his left leg.
B) meditation.
C) cutaneous stimulation to the leg.
D) nerve block.

Question 24

The nurse is to administer paracetamol (Panadol) prn for a headache. The client has been vomiting all day. Which of the following routes should the nurse use to administer the medication?

A) Rectal.
B) Oral.
C) Vaginal.
D) Intravenous.

Question 25

A nurse is providing a back massage for intermittent back pain. Which of the following would not be part of the process?

A) Adjust bed to a comfortable working height.
B) Pat dry any excess lotion with a towel.
C) Use circular strokes commencing at sacrum.
D) Use large amounts of room temperature lotion at a time.

Question 26

The nurse is providing discharge instructions to a client receiving an opioid. Which of the following measures can be used to decrease the risk of constipation?

A) Take an antihistamine three times per day.
B) Drink six to eight glasses of water per day.
C) Assess respiratory rate before taking medication.
D) Assess heart rate before taking medication.

Question 27

The nurse is admitting a client who gave birth two hours ago. The client has an epidural catheter in place. Which of the following should be immediately reported to the medical practitioner?

A) Pulse rate: 80.
B) Respiratory rate: 8.
C) Blood pressure: 120/80.
D) Pain rating of 4 on scale of 1-10.

Question 28

The nurse is caring for a client on a PCA pump with morphine. Which of the following medications should the nurse have readily available?

A) Paracetamol (Panadol).
B) Diphenhydramine hydrochloride (Benadryl).
C) Normal saline.
D) Naloxone hydrochloride (Narcan).