Chapter 08: Pain

Multiple Choice

1. Question: A patient who uses a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch for chronic cancer pain suddenly complains of rapid onset pain at a level 9 (0 to 10 scale) and requests something for pain that will work now. How will the nurse document the type of pain reported by this patient?
2. Question: The nurse teaches a student nurse about the action of ibuprofen. Which statement, if made by the student, indicates that teaching was effective?
3. Question: A nurse assesses a patient with chronic cancer pain who is receiving imipramine (Tofranil) in addition to long-acting morphine. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates to the nurse that the patient is receiving adequate pain control?
4. Question: A patient with chronic back pain has learned to control the pain with the use of imagery and hypnosis. The patients spouse asks the nurse how these techniques work. Which response by the nurse is best?
5. Question: A patient who is receiving sustained-release morphine sulfate (MS Contin) every 12 hours for chronic pain experiences level 9 (0 to 10 scale) breakthrough pain and anxiety. Which action by the nurse is best?
6. Question: A patient with chronic neck pain is seen in the pain clinic for follow-up. In order to evaluate whether the pain management is effective, which question is best for the nurse to ask?
7. Question: A patient with second-degree burns has been receiving hydromorphone through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for a week. The patient wakes up frequently during the night complaining of pain. What action by the nurse ismost appropriate?
8. Question: The nurse assesses that a patient receiving epidural morphine has not voided for over 10 hours. What action should the nurse take initially?
9. Question: When visiting a hospice patient, the nurse assesses that the patient has a respiratory rate of 11 breaths/minute and complains of severe pain. Which action is best for the nurse to take?
10. Question: The nurse is completing the medication reconciliation form for a patient admitted with chronic cancer pain. Which medication is of most concern to the nurse?
11. Question: The nurse reviews the medication administration record in order to choose the most appropriate pain medication for a patient with cancer who describes the pain as deep, aching and at a level 8 on a 0 to 10 scale. Which medication should the nurse administer?
12. Question: The nurse is caring for a patient who has diabetes and complains of chronic burning leg pain even when taking oxycodone (OxyContin) twice daily. When reviewing the orders, which prescribed medication is the best choice for the nurse to administer as an adjuvant to decrease the patients pain?
13. Question: A patient who uses a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch for chronic abdominal pain caused by ovarian cancer asks the nurse to administer the prescribed hydrocodone (Vicodin) tablets, but the patient is asleep when the nurse returns with the medication. Which action is best for the nurse to take?
14. Question: The following medications are prescribed by the health care provider for a middle-aged patient who uses long-acting morphine (MS Contin) for chronic back pain, but still has ongoing pain. Which medication should the nurse question?
15. Question: The nurse is caring for a 1-day postoperative patient who is receiving morphine through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). What action by the nurse is a priority?
16. Question: A patient who has fibromyalgia tells the nurse, I feel depressed because I ache too much to play golf. The patient says the pain is usually at a level 7 (0 to 10 scale). Which patient goal has the highest priority when the nurse is developing the treatment plan?
17. Question: A patient who has just started taking sustained-release morphine sulfate (MS Contin) for chronic arthritic joint pain following a traumatic injury complains of nausea and abdominal fullness. Which action should the nurse takeinitially?
18. Question: A patient with terminal cancerrelated pain and a history of opioid abuse complains of breakthrough pain 2 hours before the next dose of sustained-release morphine sulfate (MS Contin) is due. Which action should the nurse take first?
19. Question: Which nursing action could the nurse delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) when caring for a patient who is using a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch and a heating pad for treatment of chronic back pain?
20. Question: A patient who is using a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch and immediate-release morphine for chronic cancer pain develops new-onset confusion, dizziness, and a decrease in respiratory rate. Which action should the nurse takefirst?
21. Question: The nurse reviews the medication orders for an older patient with arthritis in both hips who is complaining of level 3 (0 to 10 scale) hip pain while ambulating. Which medication should the nurse use as initial therapy?
22. Question: Which patient with pain should the nurse assess first?