Question 1:
A nurse is assessing a patient who reports chronic pain. Which of the following is the most important initial step in pain management for this patient?
A. Prescribing a combination of opioids and NSAIDs
B. Evaluating the patient’s pain intensity and characteristics
C. Educating th...
A nurse is assessing a patient who reports chronic pain. Which of the following is the most
important initial step in pain management for this patient?
A. Prescribing a combination of opioids and NSAIDs
B. Evaluating the patient’s pain intensity and characteristics
C. Educating the patient on non-pharmacological interventions
D. Assessing the patient’s response to current analgesic medications
Answer: B
Rationale: The initial step in pain management is to thoroughly assess the patient's pain,
including intensity, quality, duration, and associated factors. This assessment guides all
subsequent decisions about treatment. Educating the patient and considering medications come
after the assessment.
Question 2:
Which pain scale would be most appropriate for assessing pain in a non-verbal, critically ill
patient?
A. Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
B. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
C. FLACC Scale
D. Wong-Baker FACES Scale
Answer: C
Rationale: The FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) is used to assess pain in
non-verbal patients, including critically ill and pediatric patients. It observes behaviors to infer
the level of pain.
Question 3:
A patient with a history of opioid use disorder is admitted for post-surgical pain management.
Which of the following interventions is most appropriate?
A. Avoid opioid medications entirely
B. Administer higher doses of opioids due to tolerance
,C. Utilize a multimodal pain management approach
D. Treat the patient with methadone for pain
Answer: C
Rationale: A multimodal pain management approach is recommended for patients with opioid
use disorder. This involves using different types of pain control measures (e.g., NSAIDs,
acetaminophen, regional anesthesia) to minimize opioid use while effectively managing pain.
Question 4:
Which of the following statements best describes neuropathic pain?
A. Pain that arises from damaged or malfunctioning nerves
B. Pain caused by the stimulation of nociceptors due to tissue injury
C. Pain that is limited to muscle and joint structures
D. Pain that is always acute in nature
Answer: A
Rationale: Neuropathic pain results from damage or dysfunction in the nervous system, leading
to abnormal pain signals. It is distinct from nociceptive pain, which involves tissue damage.
Question 5:
A patient reports burning and tingling pain in their legs that worsens at night. Which type of pain
is the patient most likely experiencing?
A. Somatic pain
B. Visceral pain
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Referred pain
Answer: C
Rationale: Burning and tingling pain, especially if it worsens at night, are common
characteristics of neuropathic pain, which results from nerve damage.
Question 6:
When educating a patient about the use of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), which statement is
most important for the nurse to include?
, A. "You should press the button as often as you feel pain."
B. "Family members can help you by pressing the button if you’re asleep."
C. "The machine is set to prevent overdosing, so only press when needed."
D. "It’s important to press the button on a regular schedule."
Answer: C
Rationale: The PCA machine is programmed with a lockout interval to prevent overdosing.
Patients should be encouraged to press the button only when they feel pain, as the machine will
prevent excess medication.
Question 7:
A patient receiving opioid therapy for chronic cancer pain is experiencing constipation. Which
intervention should the nurse recommend?
A. Increasing fluid intake and dietary fiber
B. Decreasing opioid dosage
C. Administering a stool softener and laxative
D. Increasing the frequency of opioid administration
Answer: C
Rationale: Opioid-induced constipation is a common side effect, and the use of stool softeners
and laxatives is standard care for preventing and treating it. Increasing fluid intake and dietary
fiber may help but is not always sufficient.
Question 8:
Which of the following non-pharmacological interventions is most appropriate for a patient
experiencing acute musculoskeletal pain?
A. Guided imagery
B. Cold therapy
C. Acupuncture
D. Aromatherapy
Answer: B
Rationale: Cold therapy is effective in reducing inflammation and numbing pain in acute
musculoskeletal injuries. It helps by constricting blood vessels and reducing swelling.
Question 9:
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