Question 1

A 45-year-old client continues to request intravenous pain medications 4 days after being placed in skeletal traction due to a complex fracture of the hip.While giving report to the next shift,the nurse who cared for the client during the day states,"I just do not know why he still needs medication 4 days after surgery.The client we had last month with the same type situation did not need any medication after 2 days." Which of the following responses by a nursing peer is the best example of being a client advocate?

Accepted Answer

This response acknowledges that pain is subjective and can vary greatly between individuals, even with similar injuries. It promotes individualized pain management for the client rather than assuming a one-size-fits-all approach.

Question 2

The nurse is assessing a postoperative client that reports a pain level of 10 on a 1 to 10 scale.The client is grimacing and appears anxious.Which of the following actions should the nurse perform first?

Accepted Answer

The first action should be to assess the client's pain medication administration and administer it if it has been longer than the ordered interval to relieve the client's current pain level. Offering spiritual counseling, obtaining an order for an anti-anxiety medication, or calling family should be done after addressing the client's pain.

Question 3

The nurse is caring for a 3-year-old child who has been hospitalized for internal fixation of a fractured arm.The nurse is considering nonpharmacological pain management techniques to implement.What interventions should be included in the plan of care?

Accepted Answer

Nonpharmacological pain management techniques suitable for a 3-year-old include activities that are age-appropriate and can help distract or comfort the child. "Blowing bubbles" (B) is a distraction technique that can be effective for young children. Holding the child (E) provides comfort and reassurance, which can also help manage pain. Other options like offering a glucose-coated pacifier (A) are more appropriate for infants, explaining the cause of the pain (C) might be too complex for a 3-year-old to understand and might not directly help in managing pain, and teaching the use of guided imagery (D) is generally more suitable for older children who can understand and engage in the process.

Question 4

The nurse is working at pain clinic and is preparing an orientation for new staff nurses.Which of the following definitions of pain would the nurse correctly choose to include in this orientation? Pain is:

Accepted Answer

The correct definition of pain that should be included in the orientation for new staff nurses is that pain is whatever the experiencing person says it is. This approach values the patient's perspective and individual subjective experience of pain, which is critical for effective pain management. It also emphasizes the importance of listening and communicating effectively with patients to assess and manage their pain effectively.

Question 5

The nurse is assessing a client admitted with chronic back pain.Which of the following would the nurse associate with this type of pain?

Accepted Answer

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists beyond the expected healing time of an injury or illness, and it typically lasts for three months or longer. Chronic pain can interfere with daily activities and is prolonged in duration. Sudden onset and sharp elevations in body temperature are not typically associated with chronic pain. Lower intensity of pain is not necessarily indicative of chronic pain, as it can vary in intensity.

Question 6

A client has multiple fractures following a motor vehicle accident.One of the client outcomes of the nurse's plan of care includes reducing the perception of pain.Which of the following nursing interventions would apply to reaching this outcome?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A client has multiple fractures following a...

Question 7

The nurse understands amount of pain stimulation that is needed for an individual to feel pain is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Pain threshold refers to the amount of pain stimulation required for an individual to perceive pain. Pain tolerance, on the other hand, refers to an individual's ability to withstand pain. Somatic interval and cephalgia reporting are not terms related to pain threshold or pain perception.

Question 8

The nurse is caring for two clients who both are in pain due to sickle cell anemia.One of the clients rates his pain as a 7 out of 10 (1 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain possible).This client is moving around easily and is eating well,but has asked for pain medicine.The nurse would choose which of the following actions?

Accepted Answer

Pain in sickle cell anemia is subjective and should be treated based on the patient's report. If the time interval since the last dose of medication allows, the nurse should administer the pain medication as per the prescription.

Question 9

The nurse is caring for two clients involved in a motor vehicle accident.Both clients required explorative abdominal surgery.Neither has received any pain medication in six hours and both have asked.However,one client is in greater distress than the other.Which pain theory is useful in explaining this phenomenon? The theory of:

Accepted Answer

The gate control theory suggests that there is a "gate" in the spinal cord that can either allow or block pain signals from reaching the brain. Factors such as stress and emotional state can affect this gate, leading to varying levels of pain perception. In this scenario, the client who is in greater distress may have a more open gate, allowing more pain signals to reach the brain, while the other client's gate may be more closed, resulting in less pain perception. Therefore, the theory of gate control is useful in explaining this phenomenon.

Question 10

The nurse is assessing a client admitted with severe abdominal pain.Which of the following would the nurse include as essential components of the pain assessment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The nurse is assessing a client admitted...

Question 11

The client is in the triage area of the Emergency Department when a client arrives complaining of chest and arm pain.The client also reports jaw pain,but states that the chest pain hurts more.The nurse observes the client rubbing his left arm.The nurse suspects what type of pain?

Accepted Answer

The client's reported chest and arm pain that is also radiating to his jaw suggests that the pain is radiating pain. This type of pain is characterized by discomfort that spreads from the initial site of injury or discomfort to other areas of the body.

Question 12

The nurse is caring for a teenager and is assessing pain level with the vital signs.The client is reporting pain but when the nurse asks for a description of the pain the client says,"It just hurts.Why can't I have something?" The nurse would choose to do which of the following next?

Accepted Answer

Providing questions that require yes or no answers related to pain can help the nurse gather more specific information about the client's pain. This can include questions such as "Does the pain feel sharp or dull?" or "Does the pain come and go or is it constant?" This can help the nurse determine the best course of action for managing the client's pain. Leaving the room may delay pain management and continuing with the vital signs assessment may not provide enough information to adequately manage the client's pain. Asking the client what they would like for pain may be appropriate, but it is important to gather more specific information about the pain first.

Question 13

A recently licensed nurse states,"My client keeps saying he is in pain.I don't believe him because I had the same surgery last year and didn't feel nearly as bad as he claims." What response by the more experienced nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Pain is a subjective experience and can differ greatly from person to person. It is important for healthcare professionals to believe and address their clients' pain complaints, rather than comparing their experiences to others. Suggesting that the client is a drug seeker or calling the nursing supervisor should not be the immediate response, as it is important to first assess and address the client's pain concerns. Contacting the healthcare provider may be appropriate if further interventions are needed.

Question 14

The nurse is caring for a client who denies having pain.The nurse has noticed the client grimacing and clenching his teeth when moving.The client's spouse has asked the nurse why some people deny obvious pain.What response by the nurse is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Some people may feel that reporting their pain is a sign of weakness and may be hesitant to do so. It is important to have an open and non-judgmental conversation with the client to understand their beliefs about pain and to address any concerns they may have. Additionally, discussing pain management options with the healthcare provider may also be helpful. A and D are not appropriate responses, as they do not provide helpful information or address the client's concerns. B may be a helpful suggestion, but it does not directly address the spouse's question.

Question 15

The nurse is performing an assessment on a 23-year-old client who is being seen for chronic back pain.During the assessment,which of the following findings can be anticipated?

Accepted Answer

Chronic back pain, unlike acute pain, may not cause significant changes in vital signs such as pulse rate and blood pressure. Therefore, it's common to find normal pulse rate and normal blood pressure in patients with chronic conditions, as their bodies may have adapted to the pain.

Question 16

A nurse working in a healthcare provider's office is interviewing a client that reports experiencing daily migraines.The nurse decides to further assess the impact of the client's pain.An appropriate choice of assessment tools would be which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Brief Pain Inventory is a comprehensive tool that assesses the impact of pain on daily functions, making it suitable for evaluating the impact of migraines.

Question 17

The parents of a 13-month-old infant requiring a veinipuncture for laboratory studies ask the nurse what they can do to help with pain during the procedure.Which of the following would be the best action for the nurse to take?

Accepted Answer

Having the parents touch and reassure the infant during the procedure can help provide comfort and security to the infant. Infants often feel more secure when they are being held by a familiar person, such as a parent. This can help reduce anxiety and distress, which can in turn help reduce pain. Having the parents leave the area or waiting until the infant is asleep may not be feasible or practical, and administering an analgesic may not be appropriate or necessary for every veinipuncture procedure.

Question 18

The nurse is examining a client is in the Emergency Department.The client has recently been discharged after a right above-the-knee amputation.The client tells the nurse that her right foot hurts.The nurse suspects what type of pain?

Accepted Answer

Phantom pain is a type of pain that is perceived in the amputated limb. The client's complaint of pain in the right foot, which is no longer there, is indicative of phantom pain. Radiating pain is pain that spreads from one area to another, intractable pain is constant and not relieved by medication, and cutaneous pain is pain that is localized to the skin. None of these are applicable in this case.

Question 19

The nurse is caring for a client complaining of a backache and administers ibuprofen.The client asks the nurse how the medication will help the pain.The nurse understands that ibuprofen's effect occurs during which phase of nocioception?

Accepted Answer

Ibuprofen works during the transduction phase by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are chemicals that promote inflammation, pain, and fever.

Question 20

A nursing student is reviewing the home medications of a client who has just been admitted with chronic back pain.When asked by the nursing instructor why there is a tricyclic antidepressant on the client's list,which response by the student is most likely the accurate reason?

Accepted Answer

Tricyclic antidepressants are often used in the management of chronic pain because they can help inhibit the pathways that transmit pain signals, thus providing relief from pain symptoms. This use is independent of their effects on mood.

Quiz 8: Pain Assessment