Chapter 10: Pain

Chapter 10: Pain

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When doing a pain assessment for a patient who has been admitted with metastatic breast
cancer, which question asked by the nurse will give the most information about the
patient’s pain?
a. “How long have you had this pain?”
b. “How would you describe your pain?”
c. “How much medication do you take for the pain?”
d. “How many times a day do you medicate for pain?”
ANS: B
Because pain is a multidimensional experience, asking a question that addresses the
patient’s experience with the pain is likely to elicit more information than the more
specific information asked in the other three responses. All of these questions are
appropriate, but the response beginning “How would you describe your pain?” is the best
initial question.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 128-129 | 134
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient who uses a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch for chronic cancer pain complains to the
nurse of the rapid onset of pain at a level 9 (0 to 10 scale) and requests “something for
pain that will work quickly.” The nurse will document this as
a. somatic pain.
b. referred pain.
c. neuropathic pain.
d. breakthrough pain.
ANS: D
Pain that occurs beyond the chronic pain already being treated by appropriate analgesics
is termed breakthrough pain. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage to peripheral nerves
or the central nervous system (CNS). Somatic pain is localized and arises from bone,
joint, muscle, skin, or connective tissue. Referred pain is pain that is localized in
uninjured tissue.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 134
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. A postoperative patient asks the nurse how the prescribed ibuprofen (Motrin) will control
the incisional pain. The nurse will teach the patient that ibuprofen interferes with the pain
process by decreasing the
a. modulating effect of descending nerves.
Test Bank 10-2
b. sensitivity of the brain to painful stimuli.
c. production of pain-sensitizing chemicals.
d. spinal cord transmission of pain impulses.
ANS: C
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide analgesic effects by decreasing
the production of pain-sensitizing chemicals such as prostaglandins at the site of injury.
Transmission of impulses through the spinal cord, brain sensitivity to pain, and the
descending nerve pathways are not affected by the NSAIDs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: 129-130
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
4. A patient with chronic cancer pain is receiving imipramine (Tofranil) in addition to long-
acting morphine for pain control. Which information is the best indicator that the
imipramine is effective?
a. The patient sleeps 8 hours every night.
b. The patient has no symptoms of anxiety.
c. The patient states, “I feel much less depressed since I’ve been taking the
imipramine.”
d. The patient states, “The pain is manageable, and I can accomplish my desired
activities.
ANS: D
Imipramine is being used in this patient to manage chronic pain and improve functional
ability. Although the medication also is prescribed for patients with depression, insomnia,
and anxiety, the evaluation for this patient is based on improved pain control and activity
level.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: 142 TOP: Nursing Process:
Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity