Question 1

Which of the following statements is true about pain in infants?&#10;A) Infants are capable of feeling pain.&#10;B) Infants lack memory of pain.&#10;C) Pain cannot be accurately assessed.&#10;D) Infants are incapable of expressing pain.

Accepted Answer

Infants are capable of feeling pain. Though they may not have the ability to express or communicate their pain, research has shown that they do have a functional pain system and are capable of experiencing pain. It is important to manage pain in infants as it can have long-term effects on their health and development.

Question 2

In documenting pain by location,pain resulting from stimulation of internal organs would be classified as which of the following terms?&#10;A) Deep&#10;B) Cutaneous&#10;C) Radiating&#10;D) Superficial

Accepted Answer

Pain resulting from stimulation of internal organs is considered deep pain because the pain originates from structures beneath the skin surface. Cutaneous pain is pain that originates from the skin or superficial tissues, while radiating pain is felt in a location other than where the injury or problem is located. Superficial pain is located in the skin or just below it.

Question 3

The nurse on a postoperative care unit is assessing the quality of the patient's pain.To obtain this specific information about the pain experience from the patient,which of the following questions should the nurse ask?

A) "What does your discomfort feel like?"
B) "What activities make the pain worse?"
C) "How much does it hurt on a scale of 0 to 10?"
D) "How much discomfort are you able to tolerate?"

A

Accepted Answer

The question "What does your discomfort feel like?" directly addresses the quality of the pain, asking the patient to describe the sensation.

Question 4

The patient will be having medication administered through a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA)system after surgery.To assist the family members with an understanding of how this therapy works,which of the following explanations does the nurse offer to the family?

A) The patient has control over the access to medication when he or she needs it.
B) The patient can choose the dosage of the drug received.
C) The patient can request the type of medication received.
D) The patient controls the route for administering the medication.

Accepted Answer

The PCA system allows the patient to control the administration of pain medication within pre-set dosage limits by pressing a button. This means the patient can receive pain relief when needed, without having to wait for a healthcare provider to administer the medication.

Question 5

The nurse working with patients in pain needs to recognize and avoid common misconceptions and myths about pain.With respect to the pain experience,which of the following is correct?&#10;A) The patient is the best authority on the pain experience.&#10;B) Chronic pain is mostly psychological in nature.&#10;C) Regular use of analgesics leads to drug addiction.&#10;D) The amount of tissue damage is accurately reflected in the degree of pain perceived.

Accepted Answer

The patient's own perception and description of pain should be trusted as the most accurate source of information. Other people, including healthcare professionals, can provide useful information about the pain but the patient's report should be the primary factor in assessing and managing pain.

B, C, and D are all incorrect:
B is incorrect because chronic pain can have multiple causes including physical, psychological, and social factors. 
C is incorrect because the regular use of prescribed analgesics for pain management under appropriate medical supervision does not typically lead to addiction. 
D is incorrect because the amount of tissue damage is not always related to the amount of pain a person experiences - some people may experience severe pain with minimal tissue damage, while others may have significant damage with little or no pain.

Question 6

A 17-year-old postoperative patient is laughing with friends.Soon after they leave,he tells the nurse he is experiencing pain and asks for something for pain.What does the nurse understand about this situation?

A) Teenagers will try to obtain narcotics by faking pain.
B) Distraction reduces pain awareness.
C) Postoperative pain comes on suddenly.
D) Patients who are able to laugh are not really experiencing pain.

Accepted Answer

Distraction, such as laughing with friends, can reduce pain awareness. The nurse should assess the patient's pain level and provide appropriate pain relief as needed. It is not appropriate to assume that the patient is faking pain or that laughing means the patient is not truly in pain. Postoperative pain may come on suddenly, but it is important for the nurse to continually assess the patient's pain level and provide appropriate pain management.

Question 7

Which of the following does the nurse realize is a frequent response of patients to chronic pain?&#10;A) Depression&#10;B) Hypertension&#10;C) Nausea and vomiting&#10;D) Pallor

Accepted Answer

Depression is a common response to chronic pain, as patients may feel a sense of hopelessness and helplessness in managing their pain. Hypertension, nausea and vomiting, and pallor may also be associated with chronic pain but are not as frequent as depression.

Question 8

A patient with chronic back pain has an order for a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)unit for pain control.Which of the following instructions should the nurse give the patient?&#10;A) Keep the unit on high.&#10;B) Use the unit when pain is perceived.&#10;C) Remove the electrodes at bedtime.&#10;D) Use the therapy without medication.

Accepted Answer

The patient should use the TENS unit when pain is perceived rather than keeping it on continuously. This allows the patient to conserve battery life and avoid skin irritation. The unit should also be used in conjunction with medication as needed for optimal pain control. The electrodes do not need to be removed at bedtime but should be replaced every 2-4 weeks or as needed if they become damaged or no longer adhere properly.

Question 9

The nurse consults with the primary physician of a patient who is experiencing continuous,severe pain.In planning for the patient's treatment,the nurse is aware of the principles of pain management.It is appropriate for the nurse to expect treatment to include which of the following?

A) Focusing on intramuscular administration of analgesics
B) Waiting for pain to become more intense before administering opioids
C) Administering opioid with nonopioid analgesics for severe pain experiences
D) Administering large doses of opioids initially to patients who have not taken the medications before

Accepted Answer

Administering opioid with nonopioid analgesics for severe pain experiences is appropriate for pain management. Intramuscular administration of analgesics may not always be necessary or appropriate. Waiting for pain to become more intense before administering opioids is not recommended as it can delay pain relief and may lead to inadequate pain control. Administering large doses of opioids initially to patients who have not taken the medications before is not recommended as it can cause adverse effects such as respiratory depression.

Question 10

The patient tells the nurse about a burning sensation in the epigastric area.How should the nurse describe this type of pain when documenting the findings?&#10;A) Referred&#10;B) Radiating&#10;C) Deep or visceral&#10;D) Superficial or cutaneous

Accepted Answer

Deep or visceral pain is a type of pain that is felt in the internal organs, such as the stomach or intestines. It is often described as a burning or cramping sensation, and is not related to the skin or other superficial tissues. Referred pain is felt in an area away from the actual source of the pain, while radiating pain travels to other areas of the body. Superficial or cutaneous pain is felt in the skin or other superficial tissues.

Question 11

What subtype of breakthrough pain would the nurse document when the cause of the pain is not readily identifiable?&#10;A) Idiopathic&#10;B) End-of-dose&#10;C) Predictable incident&#10;D) Unpredictable incident

Accepted Answer

The answer of What subtype of breakthrough pain would the...

Question 12

A terminally ill patient with liver cancer is experiencing great discomfort.Which of the following is a realistic goal in caring for this patient?&#10;A) Increasingly administer narcotics to oversedate the patient and thereby decrease the pain.&#10;B) Continue to change the analgesics until the right narcotic is found that completely alleviates the pain.&#10;C) Adapt the analgesics as the nursing assessment reveals changes in patient condition and pain.&#10;D) Withhold analgesics, as they are not being effective in relieving discomfort.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A terminally ill patient with liver cancer...

Question 13

Which of the following is true in relation to pain in the older adult?&#10;A) Pain is natural when growing old.&#10;B) Pain sensitivity decreases with age.&#10;C) Opioids are safe for use with the older adult.&#10;D) Patients with cognitive impairments do not feel pain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true in...

Question 14

The nurse must frequently assess a patient experiencing pain.When assessing the intensity of the pain,which of the following actions should the nurse take?&#10;A) Ask the patient about what precipitates the pain.&#10;B) Ask the patient about the location of the pain.&#10;C) Offer the patient a pain scale for more objectivity.&#10;D) Use open-ended questions to find out about the sensation experienced.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse must frequently assess a patient...

Question 15

In caring for the patient who is receiving epidural analgesia,which of the following is an appropriate nursing intervention?&#10;A) Change the tubing every 48 to 72 hours.&#10;B) Change the dressing every shift.&#10;C) Secure the catheter to the outside skin.&#10;D) Use a large occlusive dressing over the site.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In caring for the patient who is...

Question 16

Which of the following is true regarding chronic pain?&#10;A) It cannot be intermittent pain.&#10;B) Is not experienced in childhood.&#10;C) It can lead to great personal suffering.&#10;D) It is usually experienced with all forms of cancer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true regarding...

Question 17

Upon entering the patient's room,the nurse discovers that the patient is experiencing acute pain.Which of the following is an expected assessment finding for this patient?&#10;A) Bradycardia&#10;B) Bradypnea&#10;C) Diaphoresis&#10;D) Decreased muscle tension

Accepted Answer

The answer of Upon entering the patient's room,the nurse discovers...

Question 18

What is the greatest barrier to a 3-year-old patient's ability to assess her pain?&#10;A) Understanding procedures that cause pain&#10;B) Increased separation anxiety&#10;C) Reluctance to talk to strangers&#10;D) Expressing pain on a scale of 0 to 10

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the greatest barrier to a...

Question 19

Which of the following is a nonpharmacological approach that the nurse may implement for patients experiencing pain and that focuses on promoting pleasurable and meaningful stimuli?&#10;A) Acupuncture&#10;B) Distraction&#10;C) Biofeedback&#10;D) Ice pack

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a nonpharmacological...

Question 20

What is the major adverse effect of acetaminophen?&#10;A) Peptic ulcer&#10;B) Hypertension&#10;C) Hepatotoxicity&#10;D) Increased bleeding time

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the major adverse effect of...

Deck 41: Pain Assessment and Management