Question 1

The client is experiencing mild pain secondary to a minor ankle sprain.Which is the drug class of choice for the client's pain?

Accepted Answer

Nonopioid analgesics such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are recommended as the first-line treatment for mild pain, such as that caused by a minor ankle sprain. Opioid analgesics and patient-controlled analgesics are reserved for moderate to severe pain or when nonopioid analgesics are contraindicated or ineffective. Adjuvant analgesics are usually used to enhance the effectiveness of the primary analgesic, but are not usually prescribed for mild pain.

Question 2

What is the mechanism of action that differentiates opioid agonists from opioid agonist-antagonists?

Accepted Answer

Opioid agonists activate both mu and delta opioid receptors, while opioid agonist-antagonists occupy the mu receptor and partially activate it, but block the delta receptor. This partial activation of the mu receptor leads to pain relief, but the blocking of the delta receptor prevents the activation of the kappa receptor, which causes some of the negative side effects of opioids, such as respiratory depression and sedation.

Question 3

The client is experiencing pain after orthopedic surgery,and is prescribed opioid analgesic medication.The client complains to the nurse that the surgical joint is still uncomfortable,despite around-the-clock medication.What is the nurse's best response?

Accepted Answer

Cold packs can be effective in reducing pain and inflammation after surgery, providing an additional non-pharmacological method of pain control. This approach is often recommended alongside medication for post-operative care.

Question 4

To increase the awareness of pain treatment among health care professionals,the American Pain Society coined which phrase?

Accepted Answer

The American Pain Society coined the phrase "Pain: The fifth vital sign" to increase awareness of pain treatment among healthcare professionals. This phrase emphasizes the importance of recognizing and treating pain as a critical aspect of patient care, similar to the other vital signs such as heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and temperature. By routinely assessing and addressing pain, healthcare providers can improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Question 5

Gate control therapy proposes a mechanism to explain which phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Gate control therapy proposes a mechanism to...

Question 6

When clients are aware that health care providers are actively engaged in pain management,research shows that the clients often respond in which manner?

Accepted Answer

When clients know that healthcare providers are actively engaged in managing their pain, they often experience less anxiety, which can positively influence their perception of pain and overall well-being.

Question 7

The client asks the nurse why he is receiving combination therapy of opioid and nonopioid drugs to manage his pain.The nurse should explain which benefit of combination therapy?

Accepted Answer

Using a combination of opioid and non-opioid drugs helps to relieve pain synergistically and decreases the risk of side effects. This approach allows for lower doses of opioids while still achieving effective pain relief.

Question 8

How is pain perception best defined?

Accepted Answer

Pain perception is defined as the conscious experience of pain that occurs in the brain. It involves the processing and interpretation of nociceptive signals by the brain, which ultimately result in the perception of pain. Factors that can influence pain perception include biological, psychological, and socio-cultural factors.

Answer: A, B, and C are incorrect options 
 Pain perception is not solely based on a client's culture and previous experience with pain (option A). Nor is it an unconscious experience of pain that occurs in the brain (option C). The pain score rating for a client before drug therapy begins (option D) is a measurement of pain intensity, but it does not fully capture the subjective nature of pain perception.

Question 9

What is one of the benefits of the use of nonpharmacologic interventions in pain management?

Accepted Answer

Nonpharmacologic interventions can help reduce the need for high doses of pain medication which can lead to fewer drug-related side effects. This option offers the benefit of both nonpharmacologic interventions and the use of medication in pain management.

Question 10

Pain transduction begins when which event occurs?

Accepted Answer

Local tissue injury causes the release of chemical mediators of inflammation, which activate nociceptors (pain receptors) in the affected area, starting the process of pain transduction.

Question 11

How is acute pain defined?

Accepted Answer

Acute pain is defined as pain that is typically sudden in onset and is associated with an injury or surgery. It is often described as sharp or intense and typically lasts for a limited amount of time.

Question 12

A client who is being treated for cancer tells the nurse that she is still having trouble getting to the toilet without experiencing significant pain.The nurse plans care for this client based on which goal?

Accepted Answer

The goal is to allow the client to perform activities of daily living, which in this case includes going to the toilet without experiencing significant pain. Eliminating all pain in clients with chronic pain may not be realistic, preventing addiction to medication may not be the priority at this time, and allowing the nurse to assess treatment success is important but not the primary goal in this scenario.

Question 13

The client is being treated for severe pain with opioid analgesics.The pain has neuropathic qualities.The nurse chooses a prn order for which type of analgesic to aid the client's pain management?

Accepted Answer

Adjuvant analgesics are often used in conjunction with opioids to treat neuropathic pain, as they can target different pain pathways and enhance pain relief.

Question 14

Which objective method should the nurse use to assess the client's pain level?

Accepted Answer

Using a pain rating scale such as the numeric rating scale is the most objective method for assessing the client's pain level. This method allows for consistent and standardized measurement of pain intensity, which is important for making appropriate interventions and evaluating their effectiveness. Asking the client to describe the pain sensation or observing the client's behavior may provide useful information but is subject to interpretation and bias. Waiting for the client to complain of pain could result in inadequate pain relief and decreased quality of life.

Question 15

Nociceptor pain responds well to which type of drug therapy?

Accepted Answer

Nociceptor pain responds well to analgesic drugs, which are medications that provide pain relief without causing loss of consciousness. These drugs include commonly used painkillers such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen, as well as stronger prescription opioids like morphine and oxycodone.

Question 16

A client is prescribed an opioid-nonopioid drug combination.The nurse explains that the drug is composed of hydrocodone and acetaminophen.The client says,Why am I getting this? I don't have a fever,and I don't think that will be enough for my pain." Which is the best response from the nurse?

Accepted Answer

The best response from the nurse is to explain that the two drugs in combination work together to relieve pain. This educates the client on the rationale for the prescribed medication and can improve their understanding and adherence to the treatment plan. The other options are not appropriate responses as they either provide incomplete or inaccurate information or imply that the nurse is unsure of the medication's effectiveness.

Question 17

A client who has neuropathy of the lower extremities is prescribed an opioid analgesic for pain.The provider adds a tricyclic antidepressant medication (TCA)for pain management.The client asks the nurse,Why am I getting this new drug? I am not depressed,my feet just burn." What is the best response from the nurse?

Accepted Answer

Tricyclic antidepressant medications (TCAs) have been found to be effective in treating neuropathic pain, even in individuals who are not experiencing depression. The nurse should explain to the client that this medication can also help with the nerve pain they are experiencing in their feet.

Question 18

When administering opioid drugs,the nurse should have an opioid antagonist readily available in case the client experiences which effects?

Accepted Answer

Hypoventilation is a common side effect of opioid drugs, which can lead to respiratory depression and potentially fatal consequences. Therefore, the nurse should have an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone, readily available to reverse these effects if necessary. Nausea and vomiting can be alleviated with antiemetic medications, hyperventilation can be treated with oxygen therapy, and hypovolemia can be managed with fluid replacement therapy. However, none of these options specifically address the risk of respiratory depression associated with opioid use.

Question 19

Clients and health care providers often have beliefs about pain that can interfere with successful pain management.What is a common myth related to pain?

Accepted Answer

Vital signs may suggest that there is pain present, but they are not reliable indicators of pain intensity or quality. Pain is subjective, and clients may experience pain differently from one another. Healthcare providers should always obtain a pain assessment from the client to accurately manage pain.

Question 20

Somatic pain is a type of nociceptor pain that is usually experienced in which area?

Accepted Answer

Somatic pain is felt in the muscles, bones, joints, and skin, rather than internal organs or nerves.

Quiz 25: Pharmacotherapy of Severe Pain and Migraines