Question 1

The patient has hypotension, receives as much opioid analgesia as the prescription allows, and continues to have difficulty sleeping at night because of pain.Which should the nurse implement to relieve pain and improve sleep?

Accepted Answer

Controlled breathing can help manage pain and promote relaxation, which may improve sleep quality.

Question 2

The patient received treatment for a sprained ankle and is receiving home care instructions regarding cold therapy.Which instructions does the nurse include?

Accepted Answer

Cold therapy should be applied with a barrier, like a lightweight cloth, to prevent direct contact with the skin and avoid frostbite or skin damage.

Question 3

The nurse cares for several postoperative patients using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pain management with a combination of an opioid and a local anesthetic agent on the first postoperative day.Which patient will the nurse assess first?

Accepted Answer

C

Question 4

The patient who receives patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) with an opioid analgesic reports that the pain level is 9 on a scale of 0-10.Which action does the nurse take first?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should first check if the patient is using the PCA button correctly to ensure they are receiving the appropriate dose of medication before making any changes to the medication regimen.

Question 5

The nurse massages the patient to promote relaxation.Which is a suitable intervention for the nurse to implement during the massage?

Accepted Answer

Assessing for pain, anxiety, and discomfort is a suitable intervention during a massage to ensure the patient's comfort and safety.

Question 6

The school nurse provides first aid to the 10-year-old student with a new uncomplicated arm fracture.The nurse wants to provide nonpharmacological pain relief and minimize regional edema.Which first-aid treatment does the nurse provide for the patient?

Accepted Answer

A covered ice bag is used to provide cold therapy, which helps in reducing pain and minimizing swelling (edema) in the case of a new fracture.

Question 7

The patient with metastatic bone pain from cancer reports nausea and vomiting after receiving periodic opioid analgesia intravenously.Which can the nurse implement to manage the patient's pain effectively without nausea and vomiting?

Accepted Answer

Collaborating with the provider about antiemetic drug therapy can help manage nausea and vomiting without compromising the effectiveness of opioid analgesia for pain management.

Question 8

The nursing assistive personnel (NAP) reports that the patient is dizzy during a warm sitz bath.Before moving the patient, what action by the nurse is the priority?

Accepted Answer

The priority action is to check the patient's pulse rate to assess for any potential circulatory issues or changes in vital signs that could be causing the dizziness.

Question 9

The nurse decides that collaboration with the health care provider is needed to review and possibly adjust the dose of analgesic for an 87-year-old patient.What is the most likely rationale for this request?

Accepted Answer

Older adults often have slower liver and kidney metabolism, which can affect how drugs are processed and eliminated from the body, necessitating dose adjustments to prevent toxicity.

Question 10

In the postanesthesia care unit the nurse applies an ice bag to the patient's leg at the surgical site.Which therapeutic effect does the nurse expect from this treatment?

Accepted Answer

Applying ice causes vasoconstriction, which reduces bleeding and swelling at the surgical site.

Question 11

The nurse prepares an oral opioid analgesic for the patient who has dementia and pain.After checking the patient's medication administration record (MAR) for the last administration time and the patient's response to pain medication, the nurse chooses the correct analgesic and compares the patient's picture and wristband to the medical record.Which is the most important intervention for the nurse to implement next?

Accepted Answer

The most important intervention is to check the medication dose to ensure the patient receives the correct amount, preventing potential overdose or underdose.

Question 12

The nurse plans care for four patients receiving heat therapy.Which patient will the nurse consult with the provider about this order?

Accepted Answer

Peripheral neuropathy can lead to decreased sensation, increasing the risk of burns or injury from heat therapy.

Question 13

The adult patient who receives morphine sulfate intravenously by patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) tells the nurse that the pain level is 8 on a scale of 0-10.Which is the best intervention for the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The adult patient who receives morphine sulfate...

Question 14

The nurse teaches the patient progressive self-relaxation techniques.Which would the nurse implement first?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should first establish the patient's ability to participate and cooperate to ensure that the patient is ready and willing to engage in the relaxation techniques.

Question 15

The nurse teaches the patient in ambulatory care to apply ice packs to an injured knee.What instructions does the nurse include in patient teaching?

Accepted Answer

Applying ice for too long can cause tissue damage, so it's important to use ice packs with caution.

Question 16

The patient reports slight burning-like pain and numbness on the skin under a cold compress.Which action by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should remove the compress and assess the affected area to ensure there is no tissue damage or adverse reaction occurring.

Question 17

The nurse wants to use massage to promote relaxation.In which patient diagnosis would massage be potentially contraindicated?

Accepted Answer

Massage is potentially contraindicated in patients with spinal cord injury due to the risk of exacerbating any existing damage or causing further injury.

Question 18

The nurse and a student nurse receive a patient in the post anesthesia recovery unit and assesses the epidural analgesic infusion.Which assessment finding by the student is the nurse's priority?

Accepted Answer

The priority concern is that the catheter tubing does not have a filter needle, which is essential to prevent particulate matter from entering the epidural space and causing complications.

Question 19

The nurse assesses the patient who is 2 days postoperative to determine the need for continuing patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).Which information does the nurse use to decide that the patient is ready for oral administration of analgesia?

Accepted Answer

A pain level ranging from 2 to 4 indicates that the patient's pain is manageable, suggesting they may be ready to transition from PCA to oral analgesia.

Question 20

The patient receives opioid analgesia along with naproxen after a total abdominal hysterectomy.Which patient information leads the nurse to collaborate with the provider about this prescription?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The patient receives opioid analgesia along with...

Quiz 15: Pain Management