Deck 11: Analgesic Drugs

Question 1

The drug pentazocine (Talwin)is a narcotic agonist-antagonist.Which of the following statements describes a characteristic of this type of medication?

A)It has minimal analgesic effects.
B)It works to reverse the effects of opiates.
C)Its adverse effects differ from those of the opiate narcotics.
D)It has a lower addiction potential than opiate narcotics.

Answer 1

It has a lower addiction potential than opiate narcotics.

Question 2

A patient was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month,and she has complained of a dull ache in her abdomen for the last 2 months.This pain has been gradually increasing,and the pain relievers she has taken at home are no longer effective.What type of pain is she experiencing?

A)Acute pain
B)Persistent pain
C)Somatic pain
D)Superficial pain

Answer 2

Persistent pain

Question 3

The drug nalbuphine (Nubain)is a partial opioid agonist.Which of the following characterize this type of medication? Select all that apply.

A)Used for mild pain
B)Used for moderate to severe pain
C)Drug of choice for reversing the effects of opioids in cases of overdose
D)Usually used for long-term conditions
E)Usually used for short-term conditions
F)Sometimes used in those who have a history of opioid addiction

Answer 3

Used for moderate to severe pain
Usually used for short-term conditions
Sometimes used in those who have a history of opioid addiction

Question 4

A 38-year-old male has arrived at the urgent care centre with severe hip pain after falling from a ladder at work.He has taken several pain pills over the past few hours but cannot remember how many he has taken.He hands the nurse an empty bottle of acetaminophen (Tylenol).What is the most serious toxic effect of acute acetaminophen overdose?

A)Tachycardia
B)Central nervous system (CNS)depression
C)Hepatic necrosis
D)Nephrotic necrosis

Question 5

A patient has been treated for 3 years for lung cancer.Over the past few months,she has noticed that the opioid analgesic she has been taking is not helping as much and says she needs to take more medication for the same pain relief.Which of the following is this patient experiencing?

A)Opioid toxicity
B)Addiction
C)Opioid tolerance
D)Abstinence syndrome

Question 6

For which of the following is the herb feverfew commonly used?

A)Muscle aches
B)Headaches
C)Leg cramps
D)Incisional pain after surgery

Question 7

A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after a lengthy surgery on his hip.As the patient was gradually awakening,he requested pain medication.Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulfate,he is very lethargic and his respirations are shallow,with a rate of 9 per minute.What necessary action may the nurse need to perform?

A)Close observation of signs of opioid tolerance
B)Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation
C)Administration of naloxone (Narcan), an opioid reversal agent
D)Administration of an agonist opioid,such as fentanyl (Duragesic)

Question 8

A 57-year-old patient has been on a transdermal narcotic analgesic as part of the management of pain for end-stage breast cancer.Lately,she has experienced "breakthrough" pain.How should this pain be addressed?

A)She should be given nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
B)Her current therapy should not be changed.
C)The baseline dose of the narcotic may need to be increased in increments.
D)The narcotic route should be changed to the rectal route to increase absorption.

Question 9

A patient is receiving an anticonvulsant,but has no history of seizures.Which of the following is the likely reason the patient is receiving this drug?

A)Pain associated with peripheral neuropathy
B)Inflammation pain
C)Depression associated with chronic pain
D)Prevention of possible seizures

Question 10

A patient will be discharged with a 1-week supply of an opioid analgesic for pain management after his abdominal surgery.What information should the nurse tell this patient regarding this drug?

A)How to manage diarrhea
B)How to access drug addiction programs
C)How to prevent constipation
D)How to avoid dehydration due to polyuria

Question 11

Nurses should be aware that members of which of the following cultural groups believe that pain must be endured and,thus,may avoid asking for pain medication?

A)Blacks
B)Hindus
C)Somalis
D)Jews

Question 12

An 18-year-old basketball player fell and twisted his ankle during a game.Which type of analgesic is he likely to receive?

A)Synthetic opioid,such as meperidine (Demerol)
B)Opium alkaloid,such as morphine sulfate
C)Opioid antagonist, such as naloxone HCI (Suboxone)
D)Nonopioid analgesic,such as indomethacin

Question 13

A patient is to receive acetylcysteine as part of treatment for an acetaminophen (Tylenol)overdose.Which action by the nurse is appropriate when giving this medication?

A)Giving the medication undiluted for full effect
B)Avoiding use of a straw when giving this medication
C)Disguising the flavour with a soft drink or flavoured water
D)Preparing to give this medication via a nebulizer

Question 14

A patient is in the recovery room following abdominal surgery.He is groggy but complaining of severe pain around his incision.What is the most important factor for the nurse to consider during her patient assessment before administering a dose of morphine sulfate?

A)His temperature
B)His respiration rate
C)The appearance of the incision
D)The time of his last bowel movement