Deck 3: Assessment and Care of Patients with Pain

Question 1

A nurse uses the Checklist of Nonverbal Pain Indicators to assess pain in a nonverbal client with advanced dementia.The client scores a zero.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Assess physiologic indicators and vital signs.
B) Do not give pain medication as no pain is indicated.
C) Document the findings and continue to monitor.
D) Try a small dose of analgesic medication for pain.

Answer 1

Assess physiologic indicators and vital signs.

Question 2

A new nurse reports to the precepting nurse that a client requested pain medication,and when the nurse brought it,the client was sound asleep.The nurse states the client cannot possibly sleep with the severe pain the client described.What response by the experienced nurse is best?

A) "Being able to sleep doesn't mean pain doesn't exist."
B) "Have you ever experienced any type of pain?"
C) "The client should be assessed for drug addiction."
D) "You're right; I would put the medication back."

Answer 2

"Being able to sleep doesn't mean pain doesn't exist."

Question 3

A nurse is assessing pain on a confused older client who has difficulty with verbal expression.What pain assessment tool would the nurse choose for this assessment?

A) Numeric rating scale
B) Verbal Descriptor Scale
C) FACES Pain Scale-Revised
D) Wong-Baker FACES Pain Scale

Answer 3

FACES Pain Scale-Revised

Question 4

A client has received an opioid analgesic for pain.The nurse assesses that the client has a Pasero Scale score of 3 and a respiratory rate of 7 shallow breaths/min.The client's oxygen saturation is 87%.What action should the nurse perform first?

A) Apply oxygen at 4 L/min.
B) Attempt to arouse the client.
C) Give naloxone (Narcan).
D) Notify the Rapid Response Team.

Question 5

The nurse is assessing a client's pain and has elicited information on the location,quality,intensity,effect on functioning,aggravating and relieving factors,and onset and duration.What question by the nurse would be best to ask the client for completing a comprehensive pain assessment?

A) "Are you worried about addiction to pain pills?"
B) "Do you attach any spiritual meaning to pain?"
C) "How high would you say your pain tolerance is?"
D) "What pain rating would be acceptable to you?"

Question 6

A registered nurse (RN)and nursing student are caring for a client who is receiving pain medication via patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).What action by the student requires the RN to intervene?

A) Assesses the client's pain level per agency policy
B) Monitors the client's respiratory rate and sedation
C) Presses the button when the client cannot reach it
D) Reinforces client teaching about using the PCA pump

Question 7

A hospitalized client has a history of depression for which sertraline (Zoloft)is prescribed.The client also has a morphine allergy and a history of alcoholism.After surgery,several opioid analgesics are prescribed.Which one would the nurse choose?

A) Hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Lorcet)
B) Hydromorphone (Dilaudid)
C) Meperidine (Demerol)
D) Tramadol (Ultram)

Question 8

A hospitalized client uses a transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic)patch for chronic pain.What action by the nurse is most important for client safety?

A) Assess and record the client's pain every 4 hours.
B) Ensure the client is eating a high-fiber diet.
C) Monitor the client's bowel function every shift.
D) Remove the old patch when applying the new one.

Question 9

A nurse is preparing to give a client ketorolac (Toradol)intravenously for pain.Which assessment findings would lead the nurse to consult with the provider?

A) Bilateral lung crackles
B) Hypoactive bowel sounds
C) Self-reported pain of 3/10
D) Urine output of 20 mL/2 hr

Question 10

The nurse in the surgery clinic is discussing an upcoming surgical procedure with a client.What information provided by the nurse is most appropriate for the client's long-term outcome?

A) "At least you know that the pain after surgery will diminish quickly."
B) "Discuss acceptable pain control after your operation with the surgeon."
C) "Opioids often cause nausea but you won't have to take them for long."
D) "The nursing staff will give you pain medication when you ask them for it."

Question 11

A nurse on the postoperative inpatient unit receives a hand-off report on four clients using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)pumps.Which client should the nurse see first?

A) Client who appears to be sleeping soundly
B) Client with no bolus request in 6 hours
C) Client who is pressing the button every 10 minutes
D) Client with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min

Question 12

A student nurse asks why several clients are getting more than one type of pain medication instead of very high doses of one medication.What response by the registered nurse is best?

A) "A multimodal approach is the preferred method of control."
B) "Doctors are much more liberal with pain medications now."
C) "Pain is so complex it takes different approaches to control it."
D) "Clients are consumers and they demand lots of pain medicine."

Question 13

An older adult has diabetic neuropathy and often reports unbearable foot pain.About which medication would the nurse plan to educate the client?

A) Desipramine (Norpramin)
B) Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
C) Morphine sulfate
D) Nortriptyline (Pamelor)

Question 14

An emergency department (ED)manager wishes to start offering clients nonpharmacologic pain control methodologies as an adjunct to medication.Which strategy would be most successful with this client population?

A) Listening to music on a headset
B) Participating in biofeedback
C) Playing video games
D) Using guided imagery

Question 15

A nurse is assessing pain in an older adult.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Ask only "yes-or-no" questions so the client doesn't get too tired.
B) Give the client a picture of the pain scale and come back later.
C) Question the client about new pain only, not normal pain from aging.
D) Sit down, ask one question at a time, and allow the client to answer.

Question 16

The nurse receives a hand-off report.One client is described as a drug seeker who is obsessed with even tiny changes in physical condition and is "on the light constantly" asking for more pain medication.When assessing this client's pain,what statement or question by the nurse is most appropriate?

A) "Help me understand how pain is affecting you right now."
B) "I wish I could do more; is there anything I can get for you?"
C) "You cannot have more pain medication for 3 hours."
D) "Why do you think the medication is not helping your pain?"

Question 17

A client is put on twice-daily acetaminophen (Tylenol)for osteoarthritis.What finding in the client's health history would lead the nurse to consult with the provider over the choice of medication?

A) 25-pack-year smoking history
B) Drinking 3 to 5 beers a day
C) Previous peptic ulcer
D) Taking warfarin (Coumadin)

Question 18

A client who had surgery has extreme postoperative pain that is worsened when trying to participate in physical therapy.What intervention for pain management does the nurse include in the client's care plan?

A) As-needed pain medication after therapy
B) Client-controlled analgesia with a basal rate
C) Pain medications prior to therapy only
D) Round-the-clock analgesia with PRN analgesics

Question 19

A nurse on the medical-surgical unit has received a hand-off report.Which client should the nurse see first?

A) Client being discharged later on a complicated analgesia regimen
B) Client with new-onset abdominal pain, rated as an 8 on a 0-to-10 scale
C) Postoperative client who received oral opioid analgesia 45 minutes ago
D) Client who has returned from physical therapy and is resting in the recliner

Question 20

A student asks the nurse what is the best way to assess a client's pain.Which response by the nurse is best?

A) Numeric pain scale
B) Behavioral assessment
C) Objective observation
D) Client's self-report

Question 21

A postoperative client has an epidural infusion of morphine and bupivacaine (Marcaine).What actions does the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)? (Select all that apply.)

A) Ask the client to point out any areas of numbness or tingling.
B) Determine how many people are needed to ambulate the client.
C) Perform a bladder scan if the client is unable to void after 4 hours.
D) Remind the client to use the incentive spirometer every hour.
E) Take and record the client's vital signs per agency protocol.

Question 22

A client with a broken arm has had ice placed on it for 20 minutes.A short time after the ice was removed,the client reports that the effect has worn off and requests pain medication,which cannot be given yet.What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

A) Ask for a physical therapy consult.
B) Educate the client on cold therapy.
C) Offer to provide a heating pad.
D) Repeat the ice application.
E) Teach the client relaxation techniques.

Question 23

A nurse is preparing to give an infusion of acetaminophen (Ofirmev).The pharmacy delivers a bag containing 50 mL of normal saline and the Ofirmev.At what rate does the nurse set the IV pump to deliver this dose? (Record your answer using a whole number.)____ mL/hr

Question 24

A postoperative client is reluctant to participate in physical therapy.What action by the nurse is best?

A) Ask the client about pain goals and if they are being met.
B) Ask the client why he or she is being uncooperative with therapy.
C) Increase the dose of analgesia given prior to therapy sessions.
D) Tell the client that physical therapy is required to regain function.

Question 25

A nurse is caring for four clients receiving pain medication.After the hand-off report,which client should the nurse see first?

A) Client who is crying and agitated
B) Client with a heart rate of 104 beats/min
C) Client with a Pasero Scale score of 4
D) Client with a verbal pain report of 9

Question 26

A nurse is caring for a client on an epidural patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)pump.What action by the nurse is most important to ensure client safety?

A) Assess and record vital signs every 2 hours.
B) Have another nurse double-check the pump settings.
C) Instruct the client to report any unrelieved pain.
D) Monitor for numbness and tingling in the legs.

Question 27

A nursing student is studying pain sources.Which statements accurately describe different types of pain? (Select all that apply.)

A) Neuropathic pain sometimes accompanies amputation.
B) Nociceptive pain originates from abnormal pain processing.
C) Deep somatic pain is pain arising from bone and connective tissues.
D) Somatic pain originates from skin and subcutaneous tissues.
E) Visceral pain is often diffuse and poorly localized.

Question 28

A client is being discharged from the hospital after surgery on hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Lorcet).What discharge instruction is most important for this client?

A) "Call the doctor if the Lorcet does not relieve your pain."
B) "Check any over-the-counter medications for acetaminophen."
C) "Eat more fiber and drink more water to prevent constipation."
D) "Keep your follow-up appointment with the surgeon as scheduled."

Question 29

A faculty member explains to students the process by which pain is perceived by the client.Which processes does the faculty member include in the discussion? (Select all that apply.)

A) Induction
B) Modulation
C) Sensory perception
D) Transduction
E) Transmission

Question 30

A faculty member explains the concepts of addiction,tolerance,and dependence to students.Which information is accurate? (Select all that apply.)

A) Addiction is a chronic physiologic disease process.
B) Physical dependence and addiction are the same thing.
C) Pseudoaddiction can result in withdrawal symptoms.
D) Tolerance is a normal response to regular opioid use.
E) Tolerance is said to occur when opioid effects decrease.

Question 31

A client is to receive 4 mg morphine sulfate IV push.The pharmacy delivers 5 mg in a 2-mL vial.How much should the nurse administer for one dose? (Record your answer using a decimal rounded to the nearest tenth.)____ mL

Question 32

A client reports a great deal of pain following a fairly minor operation.The surgeon leaves a prescription for the nurse to administer a placebo instead of pain medication.What actions by the nurse are most appropriate? (Select all that apply.)

A) Consult with the prescriber and voice objections.
B) Delegate administration of the placebo to another nurse.
C) Give the placebo and reassess the client's pain.
D) Notify the nurse manager of the physician's request.
E) Tell the client what the prescriber ordered.

Question 33

An older client who lives alone is being discharged on opioid analgesics.What action by the nurse is most important?

A) Discuss the need for home health care.
B) Give the client follow-up information.
C) Provide written discharge instructions.
D) Request a home safety assessment.

Question 34

A student nurse learns that there are physical consequences to unrelieved pain.Which factors are included in this problem? (Select all that apply.)

A) Decreased immune response
B) Development of chronic pain
C) Increased gastrointestinal (GI) motility
D) Possible immobility
E) Slower healing

Question 35

A nurse on the postoperative unit administers many opioid analgesics.What actions by the nurse are best to prevent unwanted sedation as a complication of these medications? (Select all that apply.)

A) Avoid using other medications that cause sedation.
B) Delay giving medication if the client is sleeping.
C) Give the lowest dose that produces good control.
D) Identify clients at high risk for unwanted sedation.
E) Use an oximeter to monitor clients receiving analgesia.