Question 1

The nurse is providing care to a patient who had an abdominal nevus removed who is reporting intense pain. Which action by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The nurse should administer the stronger analgesic as ordered by the primary care provider to manage the patient's intense pain effectively.

Question 2

The nurse educator is developing a class on pain assessment and incorporates which information regarding the Wong-Baker FACES tool?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 3

The nurse correlates which type of pain syndrome as being more prevalent in female patients?

Accepted Answer

Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is more prevalent in female patients compared to males. This condition is characterized by chronic pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region.

Question 4

A nurse overhears another nurse say, "That patient is asking for pain medication again. He is constantly on the call bell, always reporting how severe his pain is, and I think he is just drug seeking. I am going to make him wait the full 4 hours before I give this medication again." Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate in this situation?

Accepted Answer

The nurse has an ethical and legal obligation to advocate for the patient and ensure that the patient's pain is adequately managed.

Question 5

In completing a pain assessment, the nurse chooses which scale for assessing the older adult?

Accepted Answer

The Verbal Rating Scale is the most appropriate scale for assessing pain in older adults because it is simple to use and understand, and it can be used to assess pain intensity, quality, and location.

Question 6

The nurse correlates compulsive behavior to take medications for their psychic effects without concerns to the negative consequences of continued use to which of the following behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Addiction is characterized by compulsive behavior to take drugs for their psychic effects despite negative consequences.

Question 7

The nurse provides care for a patient who had knee replacement surgery 2 days ago. The patient reports pain of a 3 out of 10 and requests a pain medication before physical therapy. Which prescribed medication does the nurse administer to this patient?

Accepted Answer

Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is appropriate for managing mild to moderate pain (3 out of 10) and has the added benefit of reducing inflammation, which is beneficial for a patient recovering from knee replacement surgery. Morphine, meperidine, and hydromorphone are opioids that are typically reserved for moderate to severe pain.

Question 8

A patient who is prescribed ibuprofen for low back pain asks if acetaminophen has the same pain management actions. What is the best response by the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that has anti-inflammatory effects, whereas acetaminophen (Tylenol) does not have significant anti-inflammatory properties. Acetaminophen is primarily used for pain relief and fever reduction.

Question 9

The nurse correlates which type of pain to the patient with pain in the lower back that radiates down the leg as the result of a herniated disk compressing the sciatic nerve that began 4 months ago?

Accepted Answer

Somatic pain is associated with the pain that originates from the skin, muscles, bones, or connective tissues. The description of pain in the lower back radiating down the leg due to a herniated disk compressing the sciatic nerve is indicative of somatic pain, as it involves the musculoskeletal system.

Question 10

The nurse is obtaining a pain history. The patient reports pain in the right ear. Which response by the nurse is the most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Asking the patient to tell more about the pain and what they do for it when it hurts is the most appropriate response. It encourages the patient to provide more detailed information about their pain, which can help in assessing the situation and planning appropriate care. This open-ended question allows the patient to describe their pain experience in their own words, which is crucial for effective pain management.

Question 11

The nurse uses which term to document the maximum amount of pain a patient is able to tolerate?

Accepted Answer

Pain tolerance refers to the maximum amount of pain a patient can endure or tolerate. It varies greatly among individuals and can be influenced by various factors, including psychological state.

Question 12

A patient who rates abdominal pain as a 10 on a 1 to 10 numeric scale is experiencing nausea, vomiting, and restlessness. The nurse correlates this clinical presentation to which type of pain?

Accepted Answer

Acute pain is characterized by sudden onset and is usually associated with specific injuries or conditions. Symptoms such as severe pain (rated as 10 on a 1 to 10 scale), nausea, vomiting, and restlessness are indicative of acute pain, reflecting the body's immediate response to tissue damage or injury.

Question 13

Which nursing action will provide the patient with the most pain relief after abdominal surgery?

Accepted Answer

Offering pain relief before the patient complains of pain is a proactive approach to managing pain, especially after surgery. This preemptive strategy helps in maintaining a manageable level of pain, which is crucial for recovery and comfort.

Question 14

The nurse correlates the therapeutic effect of cold application to which physiological process?

Accepted Answer

Cold application leads to vasoconstriction, which is the narrowing of blood vessels. This physiological process helps reduce blood flow to a specific area, which can decrease swelling and inflammation, and is considered a therapeutic effect of cold application.

Question 15

The nurse is teaching a class on the perception of pain. What will the nurse teach as being the area of the brain where the electrochemical messages are interpreted into pain?

Accepted Answer

The cerebral cortex is responsible for the interpretation of pain. It processes the electrochemical messages received from the body and interprets them as pain, allowing for the perception and conscious awareness of pain.

Question 16

The nurse is providing care to a postoperative patient who is getting out of bed for the first time since surgery. When conducting the pain assessment, the patient states, "It hurts, but I do not want to take any more drugs. I do not want to end up addicted." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

C is the most appropriate response because it provides accurate information about the risk of addiction related to the duration of medication use, reassuring the patient that short-term use for acute pain management is generally safe.

Question 17

Which of the following nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications does the nurse recognize as most effective in treating post-operative pain in patients after thoracic surgery?

Accepted Answer

Ketorolac is recognized for its strong analgesic properties, making it particularly effective for managing moderate to severe acute pain, such as post-operative pain following thoracic surgery. It is often chosen for short-term management of postoperative pain due to its opioid-sparing effects and potent analgesic capabilities.

Question 18

The nurse teaches an older adult patient prescribed acetaminophen with hydrocodone (Percocet) for the treatment of moderate pain ways to decrease the occurrence of constipation. Which patient statement indicates a correct understanding of the information presented?

Accepted Answer

Acetaminophen with hydrocodone can cause constipation as a side effect. Increasing daily water intake helps to prevent constipation by softening stools and promoting bowel movements.

Question 19

In the patient being treated with corticosteroids for an acute flare of arthritis, the nurse correlates which finding to a possible adverse reaction to this medication?

Accepted Answer

Corticosteroids can cause a range of psychiatric side effects, including mood swings, confusion, and delirium, especially at high doses or during long-term therapy.

Question 20

The patient with a sprained ankle is complaining of pain in the injured area. Which term will the nurse use when documenting this patient's pain?

Accepted Answer

Somatic pain is associated with injuries to the skin, muscles, bones, or joints, which is consistent with the symptoms of a sprained ankle.

Quiz 11: Pain Management