Question 1

A client asks why the shoulder is hurting when the problem is in the abdomen.Which type of pain should the nurse explain this client is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Referred pain occurs when pain originating in one area of the body is felt in another area, such as experiencing shoulder pain due to an abdominal issue.

Question 2

A client with chronic pain reports that pretending to be lying on a beach with the sun warming the legs helps relieve the chronic hip and leg pain caused by arthritis.Which nonpharmacological method is this client using to control pain?

Accepted Answer

The client is using guided imagery, a technique where one uses visual or mental images to evoke sensory perception, in this case, the warmth of the sun on the legs, to manage and reduce pain. This method helps the mind focus on a positive image rather than the pain.

Question 3

A client reports having difficulty sleeping.What should the nurse teach this client about restorative sleep?

Accepted Answer

Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep is considered the most restful and restorative phase of sleep, comprising about 75-80% of total sleep time and involving physical repair and regeneration.

Question 4

A client reports having a sore jaw and tooth pain in the mornings.Which sleep disorder should the nurse suspect this client is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Bruxism, which involves grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep, can lead to symptoms such as sore jaw and tooth pain in the mornings.

Question 5

A client reports waking up frequently during the night and not getting restful sleep.Which response should the nurse make?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and cause awakenings during the night. It may initially act as a sedative, but it ultimately fragments sleep stages.

Question 6

The nurse explains to a client with chronic pain that exercise may relieve some pain.What should the nurse explain about the role of exercise on the gate control theory of pain?

Accepted Answer

The gate control theory of pain suggests that non-painful input closes the "gates" to painful input, which prevents pain sensation from traveling to the central nervous system. Exercise stimulates broad nerve fibers, which according to this theory, helps to shut the gate, thereby reducing the perception of pain.

Question 7

A client reports feeling pain "only when I move." Which type of pain is this client experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Deep somatic pain is associated with the structures deep within the body, such as joints, muscles, and bones. It often occurs with movement or pressure, which aligns with the client's description of feeling pain "only when I move."

Question 8

During a home visit, the nurse notes that a client experiencing chronic pain manages the pain better when sitting quietly holding a small kitten.Which type of distraction is this client using for pain control?

Accepted Answer

The client is using tactile distraction by physically touching and holding a kitten, which involves the sense of touch to divert attention from the pain.

Question 9

A client reports that chronic pain is usually tolerable until under stress and then the pain becomes unbearable.Which should the nurse respond to this client?

Accepted Answer

Stress can lead to an increase in pain perception by affecting the brain's pain processing pathways, including the thalamus, which plays a key role in sensory signal processing. The statement that stress causes the thalamus to open the gateway to pain, thereby increasing the pain, aligns with the understanding that stress can exacerbate pain perception by influencing the central nervous system's processing of pain signals.

Question 10

The nurse is providing care to a client with chronic pain.Which action should the nurse take when caring for this client? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The nurse should suggest nonpharmacological methods to manage pain, accept the client as an expert on their own pain experience, and acknowledge the client's pain to validate their experience and provide empathetic care.

Question 11

After rating pain as an 8 on a scale from 1 to 10, the nurse finds the client sleeping when bringing pain medication.Which action should the nurse take?

Accepted Answer

Waking the client gently to offer the medication is appropriate because the client previously reported significant pain. Sleep does not necessarily indicate the absence of pain, and managing pain effectively is a critical aspect of nursing care. Leaving medication unattended or documenting refusal without offering the medication is not appropriate, and changing the route of administration without a specific order to do so is not within nursing practice standards.

Question 12

A client experiencing pain rated as a 7 on a scale from 1 to 10 continues to have pain despite having medication 2 hours ago.Which response should the nurse make when the client requests additional medication?

Accepted Answer

Non-pharmacological interventions, such as repositioning and back rubs, can be effective in managing pain and can be used when medication alone is not sufficient or when it's not yet time for the next dose.

Question 13

The nurse observes that although several clients are experiencing pain, the pain response and tolerance are different.Which factors about pain perception should the nurse keep in mind when assessing for pain? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Pain perception and tolerance can vary greatly among individuals due to a variety of factors. Emotions can influence how pain is perceived and tolerated, with anxiety or depression potentially exacerbating the experience of pain. Individual values, including what one considers to be an acceptable level of pain, can also affect pain perception. The developmental stage is relevant because pain is perceived and expressed differently across different ages, with children and the elderly possibly having different responses and expressions of pain compared to adults. Ethnic and cultural beliefs can significantly influence pain perception and expression, as cultural background can dictate how individuals respond to pain, including whether they openly express pain or stoically endure it. Educational level, while important in many aspects of health and wellness, is not directly linked to pain perception and tolerance in the same way as the other factors listed.

Question 14

A client with terminal cancer asks how massage can decrease pain.Which should the nurse explain about massage in pain control?

Accepted Answer

Massage stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural body chemicals thought to block the transmission of pain signals in the central nervous system, thereby reducing pain perception.

Question 15

A critically ill client may have difficulty in getting the restorative sleep necessary for healing.Which action should the nurse take to help this client?

Accepted Answer

Dimming the lights and closing the door can create a more restful environment conducive to sleep, which is important for healing in critically ill clients.

Question 16

The mother of a preschool-age child reports having difficulty getting the child to go to sleep at night.Which suggestion should the nurse provide this mother?

Accepted Answer

Reading a bedtime story can help establish a calming bedtime routine that signals to the child it's time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Encouraging play or turning on the television can be stimulating, making it harder for the child to settle down. Permitting the child to stay awake until feeling sleepy can lead to inconsistent sleep schedules, making it harder to establish a healthy sleep routine.

Question 17

A client recovering from an amputation asks why the foot that was removed is still causing pain.Which type of pain should the nurse explain that the client is experiencing?

Accepted Answer

The client is experiencing neuropathic pain, which occurs due to nerve damage. In the case of an amputation, the nerves that previously served the amputated limb can still send pain signals to the brain, leading to the sensation of pain in a limb that is no longer there, known as phantom limb pain.

Question 18

The nurse has determined that a client's pain is acute and plans to administer pain medication.Which signs and symptoms of acute pain did the nurse use to make this clinical determination? Select all that apply.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse has determined that a client's...

Question 19

A client has been using a TENS unit for one hour to help relieve back pain.Which action should the nurse take after removing the unit from the client?

Accepted Answer

After removing the TENS unit, the nurse should assess the client's pain level to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and determine if further intervention is needed.

Question 20

A mother asks how much sleep a 4-year-old child needs.Which response should the nurse make?

Accepted Answer

A 4-year-old child typically needs about 11-12 hours of sleep per day, including naps. This amount supports their growth, development, and overall health.

Quiz 19: Pain Management, Rest, and Restorative Sleep