Overview of Pain Assessment, Management, and Select Clinical Practice Guidelines
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Course
Nursing
Institution
Nursing
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a patient’s pain using a numeric pain scale. The patient rates their pain as 7 out of 10. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
A) Administer the prescribed analgesic.
B) Ask the patient to describe the pain in detail.
C) Document the pain ...
Question 1: A nurse is assessing a patient’s pain using a numeric pain scale. The patient rates
their pain as 7 out of 10. Which of the following actions should the nurse take next?
A) Administer the prescribed analgesic.
B) Ask the patient to describe the pain in detail.
C) Document the pain rating in the medical record.
D) Tell the patient that pain is subjective and should be managed by distraction.
Answer: A) Administer the prescribed analgesic.
Rationale: The patient has reported significant pain (7 out of 10), indicating a need for pain
relief. Administering the analgesic as prescribed is the appropriate next step in pain management.
Question 2: Which of the following pain assessment tools is most appropriate for use in a non-
verbal patient?
A) Visual Analog Scale
B) FLACC Scale
C) Wong-Baker FACES Scale
D) Numeric Pain Intensity Scale
Answer: B) FLACC Scale
Rationale: The FLACC scale (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) is specifically designed
to assess pain in non-verbal patients by observing their physical behaviors.
Question 3: A nurse is educating a patient about the use of opioid analgesics for pain
management. Which of the following statements made by the patient indicates a need for further
teaching?
A) "I understand that I need to take the medication as prescribed."
B) "I can take more medication if I don't feel the pain is relieved."
C) "I should avoid alcohol while taking this medication."
D) "I will report any unusual side effects to my healthcare provider."
Answer: B) "I can take more medication if I don't feel the pain is relieved."
Rationale: This statement indicates a misunderstanding of the prescribed dosing schedule.
Patients should never increase their dose without consulting their healthcare provider due to the
risk of overdose and side effects.
,Question 4: When evaluating a patient’s pain management plan, which of the following should
the nurse consider as the most critical outcome?
A) The patient is able to sleep through the night.
B) The patient reports a decrease in pain intensity.
C) The patient’s vital signs are stable.
D) The patient expresses satisfaction with their care.
Answer: B) The patient reports a decrease in pain intensity.
Rationale: The primary goal of a pain management plan is to relieve pain. While sleep and
satisfaction are important, the most critical outcome is the patient's report of decreased pain.
Question 5: Which of the following medications would the nurse expect to administer to a
patient experiencing moderate pain (rated 5 out of 10)?
A) Acetaminophen
B) Ibuprofen
C) Codeine
D) Morphine
Answer: C) Codeine
Rationale: For moderate pain, an opioid like codeine is appropriate. Acetaminophen and
ibuprofen are typically used for mild pain, while morphine is more suitable for severe pain.
Question 6: A patient receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) expresses fear of becoming
addicted to the medication. What is the nurse's best response?
A) "Addiction is very common with opioid use."
B) "You can stop using the PCA whenever you want."
C) "PCA use is closely monitored, and addiction is rare with short-term use."
D) "You shouldn't worry about addiction; just focus on pain relief."
Answer: C) "PCA use is closely monitored, and addiction is rare with short-term use."
Rationale: This response reassures the patient by explaining the monitoring process and
emphasizing that addiction is not common in patients using PCA for legitimate pain
management.
, Question 7: Which of the following is a non-pharmacological intervention that the nurse can
suggest to a patient for managing chronic pain?
A) Bed rest
B) Massage therapy
C) Increased opioid dosage
D) Hot showers
Answer: B) Massage therapy
Rationale: Massage therapy is a recognized non-pharmacological method for managing chronic
pain, helping to relieve muscle tension and improve relaxation.
Question 8: A nurse is caring for a patient who has just undergone surgery and is experiencing
acute postoperative pain. Which intervention should the nurse prioritize?
A) Encourage deep breathing exercises.
B) Assess the patient's pain level using a standardized tool.
C) Offer the patient a warm compress.
D) Provide information about the pain management plan.
Answer: B) Assess the patient's pain level using a standardized tool.
Rationale: Assessing the patient's pain level is critical to guide effective pain management
interventions, especially postoperatively.
Question 9: In preparing a patient for discharge after surgery, which statement by the patient
indicates a proper understanding of pain management?
A) "I can drive myself home after taking pain medication."
B) "I should wait until the pain is severe before taking my pain medication."
C) "I will keep track of my pain levels and medication use."
D) "I will not need any follow-up appointments for my pain."
Answer: C) "I will keep track of my pain levels and medication use."
Rationale: This statement indicates that the patient understands the importance of monitoring
pain levels and adhering to the medication regimen for effective pain management.
Question 10: What is the primary purpose of the WHO analgesic ladder?
A) To assess the severity of pain.
B) To guide the administration of pain medications.
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