Chapter 10: Analgesic Drugs

Chapter 10: Analgesic Drugs

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. A patient was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last month, and has complained of a dull ache in the abdomen for the past 4 months. This pain has been gradually increasing, and the pain relievers taken at home are no longer effective. What type of pain is the patient experiencing?

a.	Acute pain
b.	Chronic pain
c.	Somatic pain
d.	Neuropathic pain

 

 

ANS:  B

Chronic pain is associated with cancer and is characterized by slow onset, long duration, and dull, persistent aching. The patient’s symptoms are not characteristics of acute pain, somatic pain, or neuropathic pain.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Understanding (Comprehension)    REF:   p. 145

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort

 

2. An 18-year-old basketball player fell and twisted his ankle during a game. The nurse will expect to administer which type of analgesic?

a.	Synthetic opioid, such as meperidine (Demerol)
b.	Opium alkaloid, such as morphine sulfate
c.	Opioid antagonist, such as naloxone HCL (Narcan)
d.	Nonopioid analgesic, such as indomethacin (Indocin)

 

 

ANS:  D

Somatic pain, which originates from skeletal muscles, ligaments, and joints, usually responds to nonopioid analgesics such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The other options are not the best choices for somatic pain.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   pp. 145-146

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort

 

3. A patient is recovering from abdominal surgery, which he had this morning. He is groggy but complaining of severe pain around his incision. What is the most important assessment data to consider before the nurse administers a dose of morphine sulfate to the patient?

a.	His pulse rate
b.	His respiratory rate
c.	The appearance of the incision
d.	The date of his last bowel movement

 

 

ANS:  B

One of the most serious adverse effects of opioids is respiratory depression. The nurse must assess the patient’s respiratory rate before administering an opioid. The other options are incorrect.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   p. 153

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Reduction of Risk Potential

 

4. A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after having a lengthy surgery on his hip. As he is gradually awakening, he requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulfate, he is very lethargic and his respirations are shallow, with a rate of 7 per minute. The nurse prepares for which priority action at this time?

a.	Assessment of the patient’s pain level
b.	Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation
c.	Administration of naloxone (Narcan)
d.	Close observation of signs of opioid tolerance

 

 

ANS:  C

Naloxone, an opioid-reversal agent, is used to reverse the effects of acute opioid overdose and is the drug of choice for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression. This situation is describing an opioid overdose, not opioid tolerance. Intubation and artificial ventilation are not appropriate because the patient is still breathing at 7 breaths/min. It would be inappropriate to assess the patient’s level of pain.

 

DIF:    COGNITIVE LEVEL: Applying (Application)                  REF:   p. 153

TOP:   NURSING PROCESS: Implementation

MSC:  NCLEX: Physiological Integrity: Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies