Chapter 6: Pain Assessment

Chapter 6: Pain Assessment

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. How do nurses assess a patient’s pain?

a.	By assessing physiologic changes of the patient
b.	By understanding the sensory experience related to the amount of tissue damage
c.	By the patient’s medical diagnosis or surgical procedure
d.	By asking the patient to rate the pain being experienced

 

 

ANS:  D

 

	Feedback
A	The pain perceived is unrelated to the physiologic changes of the patient.
B	Although pain occurs when tissues are damaged, there is no correlation between the amount of tissue damage and the degree and intensity of pain experienced.
C	There is no correlation between pain perceived and a medical diagnosis or surgical procedure.
D	Pain is whatever the patient says it is. One person cannot judge the perception or meaning of pain of another person.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Understand            REF:   54| 59

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Patient Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort: Assessing Pain

 

2. The nurse notes in the patient’s history that the patient has persistent, malignant pain. What is the meaning of this type of pain?

a.	The pain has been present for at least 2 weeks.
b.	The pain began after recent surgery and is associated with healing incisions.
c.	The pain has been present for 6 or more months.
d.	The pain has been present since surgery to remove cancer.

 

 

ANS:  C

 

	Feedback
A	This time frame is too short. Chronic pain may be intermittent or continuous pain lasting more than 6 months.
B	This is a description of acute pain rather than chronic.
C	This is the definition of persistent or chronic pain.
D	Surgery to remove malignant tissue does not necessarily equate to malignant pain.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Remember            REF:   55

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Patient Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort: Assessing Pain

 

3. A patient has had chronic back pain for several years. On assessment, the nurse notes that the patient sits quietly in a chair, reads a book, talks with a companion, and does not appear to be in pain. When questioned, the patient rates the pain as a 6 on a scale of 0 to 10. How does the nurse interpret these data?

a.	Many patients cannot be believed when they complain of severe pain lasting many months.
b.	Patients may not have the same objective responses to chronic pain because of compensation over time.
c.	The patient probably has already taken a very effective pain medication.
d.	This patient is probably not having as much pain as reported initially, and more assessment is required.

 

 

ANS:  B

 

	Feedback
A	Pain is whatever the patient says it is. Patients with chronic pain adapt to the pain and have more subtle manifestations than patients with acute pain.
B	Clinical manifestations of chronic pain are not those of physiologic stress because the patient adapts to the pain.
C	Patients with chronic pain adapt to the pain and have more subtle manifestations than patients with acute pain despite the effects of pain medication.
D	Pain is whatever the patient says it is. Patients with chronic pain adapt to the pain and have more subtle manifestations than patients with acute pain.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   55

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Patient Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort: Assessing Pain

 

4. Which patient would be expected to experience acute pain?

a.	A patient who had abdominal surgery 8 hours ago
b.	A patient who has cancer and has been receiving treatment for 4 months
c.	A patient who states that he or she has lived with severe pain for many years
d.	A patient who has been treated unsuccessfully over the past year for back pain

 

 

ANS:  A

 

	Feedback
A	Acute pain has a recent onset and results from tissue damage; is usually self-limiting; and ends when the tissue heals.
B	Acute pain has a recent onset and results from tissue damage; is usually self-limiting; and ends when the tissue heals.
C	This patient has experienced chronic pain for years. Acute pain has a recent onset and results from tissue damage; is usually self-limiting; and ends when the tissue heals.
D	This patient has experienced chronic pain for one year. Acute pain has a recent onset and results from tissue damage; is usually self-limiting; and ends when the tissue heals.

 

 

DIF:    Cognitive Level: Apply                   REF:   55

TOP:   Nursing Process: Assessment

MSC:  NCLEX Patient Needs: Physiologic Integrity: Basic Care and Comfort: Assessing Pain