Podcast
Questions and Answers
A patient has recently had surgery. Which action is best for the nurse to take to assess this
patient’s pain?
A patient has recently had surgery. Which action is best for the nurse to take to assess this patient’s pain?
A nurse is caring for a patient who recently had abdominal surgery and is experiencing severe
pain. The patient’s blood pressure is 110/60 mm Hg, and heart rate is 60 beats/min.
Additionally, the patient does not appear to be in any physical distress. Which response by the
nurse is most therapeutic?
A nurse is caring for a patient who recently had abdominal surgery and is experiencing severe pain. The patient’s blood pressure is 110/60 mm Hg, and heart rate is 60 beats/min. Additionally, the patient does not appear to be in any physical distress. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
A nurse teaches the patient about the gate control theory. Which statement made by a patient
reflects a correct understanding about the relationship between the gate control theory of pain
and the use of meditation to relieve pain?
A nurse teaches the patient about the gate control theory. Which statement made by a patient reflects a correct understanding about the relationship between the gate control theory of pain and the use of meditation to relieve pain?
A nurse is planning care for an older-adult patient who is experiencing pain. Which statement
made by the nurse indicates the supervising nurse needs to follow up?
A nurse is planning care for an older-adult patient who is experiencing pain. Which statement made by the nurse indicates the supervising nurse needs to follow up?
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The nurse is caring for two patients; both are having a hysterectomy. The first patient is having the hysterectomy after a complicated birth. The second patient has uterine cancer. What will most likely influence the experience of pain for these two patients?
The nurse is caring for two patients; both are having a hysterectomy. The first patient is having the hysterectomy after a complicated birth. The second patient has uterine cancer. What will most likely influence the experience of pain for these two patients?
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The nurse is preparing pain medications. To which patient does the nurse anticipate administering an opioid fentanyl patch?
The nurse is preparing pain medications. To which patient does the nurse anticipate administering an opioid fentanyl patch?
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A patient is receiving opioid medication through an epidural infusion. Which action will the nurse take to protect the patient’s safety?
A patient is receiving opioid medication through an epidural infusion. Which action will the nurse take to protect the patient’s safety?
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A woman is in labor and refuses to receive any sort of anesthesia medication. Which alternative treatment is best for this patient?
A woman is in labor and refuses to receive any sort of anesthesia medication. Which alternative treatment is best for this patient?
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A nurse is teaching a patient about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Which statement made by the patient indicates to the nurse that teaching is effective?
A nurse is teaching a patient about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Which statement made by the patient indicates to the nurse that teaching is effective?
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A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing pain following abdominal surgery. Which information is important for the nurse to share with the patient when providing patient education about effective pain management?
A nurse is caring for a patient who is experiencing pain following abdominal surgery. Which information is important for the nurse to share with the patient when providing patient education about effective pain management?
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A nurse is caring for a patient who recently had spinal surgery. The nurse knows that patients usually experience acute pain following this type of surgery. The patient refuses to get up and walk and is not moving around in the bed. However, the patient is stoic and denies experiencing pain at this time. What most likely explains this patient’s behavior?
A nurse is caring for a patient who recently had spinal surgery. The nurse knows that patients usually experience acute pain following this type of surgery. The patient refuses to get up and walk and is not moving around in the bed. However, the patient is stoic and denies experiencing pain at this time. What most likely explains this patient’s behavior?
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A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with a fractured humerus. The patient is going home with a prescription for hydrocodone. Which important patient education should the nurse provide?
A nurse is providing discharge teaching for a patient with a fractured humerus. The patient is going home with a prescription for hydrocodone. Which important patient education should the nurse provide?
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A patient arrives at the emergency department experiencing a headache and rates the pain as 7 on a 0 to 10 pain scale. Which nonpharmacological intervention does the nurse implement for this patient while awaiting orders for pain medication from the health care provider?
A patient arrives at the emergency department experiencing a headache and rates the pain as 7 on a 0 to 10 pain scale. Which nonpharmacological intervention does the nurse implement for this patient while awaiting orders for pain medication from the health care provider?
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A patient diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 26 years ago is beginning to experience peripheral neuropathy in the feet and lower leg. The nurse is providing education to the patient to prevent injury to the feet by wearing shoes or slippers when walking. Which statement made by the
nurse best explains the rationale for this instruction?
A patient diagnosed with type 2 diabetes 26 years ago is beginning to experience peripheral neuropathy in the feet and lower leg. The nurse is providing education to the patient to prevent injury to the feet by wearing shoes or slippers when walking. Which statement made by the nurse best explains the rationale for this instruction?
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A nurse is assessing a patient who began experiencing severe pain 3 days ago. When the nurse asks the patient to describe the pain, the patient states, "The pain feels like it is in my stomach. It is a burning pain, and it spreads out in a circle around the spot where it hurts the most." Which type of pain does the nurse document the patient is having at this time?
A nurse is assessing a patient who began experiencing severe pain 3 days ago. When the nurse asks the patient to describe the pain, the patient states, "The pain feels like it is in my stomach. It is a burning pain, and it spreads out in a circle around the spot where it hurts the most." Which type of pain does the nurse document the patient is having at this time?
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A patient injured in a motor vehicle crash 2 days ago is experiencing pain and is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Which assessment finding indicates effective pain management with the PCA?
A patient injured in a motor vehicle crash 2 days ago is experiencing pain and is receiving patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). Which assessment finding indicates effective pain management with the PCA?
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The nurse is caring for a patient and is focusing on modifiable factors that contribute to pain. Which areas does the nurse focus on with this patient?
The nurse is caring for a patient and is focusing on modifiable factors that contribute to pain. Which areas does the nurse focus on with this patient?
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The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of guided imagery for pain management as used for a patient who has second- and third-degree burns and needs extensive dressing changes. Which finding best indicates the effectiveness of guided imagery?
The nurse is evaluating the effectiveness of guided imagery for pain management as used for a patient who has second- and third-degree burns and needs extensive dressing changes. Which finding best indicates the effectiveness of guided imagery?
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A nurse is providing medication education to a patient who just started been prescribed ibuprofen. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session?
A nurse is providing medication education to a patient who just started been prescribed ibuprofen. Which information will the nurse include in the teaching session?
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The nurse has brought a patient the scheduled pain medication. The patient asks the nurse to wait to give pain medication until the time for the dressing change, which is 2 hours away. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
The nurse has brought a patient the scheduled pain medication. The patient asks the nurse to wait to give pain medication until the time for the dressing change, which is 2 hours away. Which response by the nurse is most therapeutic?
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A nurse receives an order from a health care provider to administer hydrocodone and acetaminophen to a patient who is experiencing 8/10 postsurgical pain. The order is to give 2 tablets every 6 hours by mouth as needed for pain. What is the nurse’s next best action?
A nurse receives an order from a health care provider to administer hydrocodone and acetaminophen to a patient who is experiencing 8/10 postsurgical pain. The order is to give 2 tablets every 6 hours by mouth as needed for pain. What is the nurse’s next best action?
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The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is demonstrating signs of pain. Which technique will the nurse use to best assess pain in this child?
The nurse is caring for a 4-year-old child who is demonstrating signs of pain. Which technique will the nurse use to best assess pain in this child?
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A nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first to best manage patient needs?
A nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which patient will the nurse see first to best manage patient needs?
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A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with chronic pain. Which statement by the nurse indicates an understanding of pain management?
A nurse is caring for a patient diagnosed with chronic pain. Which statement by the nurse indicates an understanding of pain management?
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The nurse is assessing how a patient’s pain is affecting mobility. Which assessment question is most appropriate?
The nurse is assessing how a patient’s pain is affecting mobility. Which assessment question is most appropriate?
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The nurse is teaching a student nurse about pain assessment scales. Which statement by the student indicates effective teaching?
The nurse is teaching a student nurse about pain assessment scales. Which statement by the student indicates effective teaching?
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The nurse is administering pain medication for several patients. Which patient does the nurse administer medication to first?
The nurse is administering pain medication for several patients. Which patient does the nurse administer medication to first?
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The nurse is assessing a patient for opioid tolerance. Which finding supports the nurse’s assessment?
The nurse is assessing a patient for opioid tolerance. Which finding supports the nurse’s assessment?
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A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who is now going to be taking 2 acetaminophen tablets every 6 hours to control pain. Which part of the patient’s social history is the nurse most concerned about?
A nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who is now going to be taking 2 acetaminophen tablets every 6 hours to control pain. Which part of the patient’s social history is the nurse most concerned about?
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The nurse is caring for a patient who suddenly experiences chest pain. What is the nurse’s first priority?
The nurse is caring for a patient who suddenly experiences chest pain. What is the nurse’s first priority?
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The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which task may the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
The nurse is caring for a group of patients. Which task may the nurse delegate to the unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?
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A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic pain from arthritis. Which action is best for the nurse to take?
A nurse is caring for a patient with chronic pain from arthritis. Which action is best for the nurse to take?
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A nurse is caring for a patient who fell on the ice and has connective tissue damage in the wrist and hand. The patient describes the pain as throbbing. Which type of pain does the nurse document in this patient’s medical record?
A nurse is caring for a patient who fell on the ice and has connective tissue damage in the wrist and hand. The patient describes the pain as throbbing. Which type of pain does the nurse document in this patient’s medical record?
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The nurse is caring for an infant in the intensive care unit. Which information should the nurse consider when planning care for this patient?
The nurse is caring for an infant in the intensive care unit. Which information should the nurse consider when planning care for this patient?
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The nurse is administering ibuprofen to an older patient. Which assessment data causes the nurse to hold the medication? (Select all that apply.)
The nurse is administering ibuprofen to an older patient. Which assessment data causes the nurse to hold the medication? (Select all that apply.)
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The nurse is assessing the characteristics of a patient’s pain. Match the characteristic to the question a nurse will ask to determine that specific characteristic.
The nurse is assessing the characteristics of a patient’s pain. Match the characteristic to the question a nurse will ask to determine that specific characteristic.
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Study Notes
Pain Assessment and Management Post-Surgery
- Assess pain through direct questioning and observe the patient's vitals: BP of 110/60 mm Hg and HR of 60 bpm can indicate various pain levels.
- Observe patient behavior for clues: Patient may appear non-distressed despite reporting severe pain.
- Explain the gate control theory: Meditation can reduce overall pain sensation by closing the "gates" to pain signals.
Variability in Pain Experience
- Pain perception can differ based on personal experiences and circumstances, such as a complicated birth versus uterine cancer.
- Tailor pain management plans according to individual patient needs and histories.
Use of Medications and Safety Measures
- Consider opioid fentanyl patches for patients with severe pain needing extended relief.
- Maintain safety measures when administering epidural infusions to prevent overdose or complications.
- Educate about patient-controlled analgesia (PCA); effective understanding is shown when patients feel empowered to manage their own pain.
Non-Pharmacological Interventions
- Consider alternatives like breathing techniques or hydrotherapy for patients refusing anesthesia during labor.
- Implement non-pharmacological strategies, such as guided imagery, especially for patients with burns needing extensive care.
Patient Education and Compliance
- Stress the importance of following prescribed medication regimens and provide clear instructions about side effects and safe use.
- For patients with a chronic condition like diabetes, emphasize protective measures to avoid injury, especially regarding foot care.
Assessing Pain Characteristics
- Identify the type of pain: Burning pain that radiates can indicate neuropathic pain.
- Use specific questions to assess the impact of pain on mobility and daily activities.
Delegation and Nurse Responsibilities
- Prioritize patients based on pain level and urgency; severe pain from surgeries typically requires immediate attention.
- Delegate tasks that do not require nursing judgment to unlicensed personnel, allowing more time for assessments and patient care.
Pain Management in Special Populations
- Different approaches may be required for children; use age-appropriate tools for assessing pain.
- In older adults, always consider potential drug interactions and underlying health conditions before administering medications like ibuprofen.
Recognition of Opioid Tolerance and Patient History
- Identify signs of opioid tolerance: increased dosage requirements can indicate adaptation.
- Evaluate the patient's social history as it relates to medication efficacy and potential risk factors in chronic pain management.
Emergency Response
- Respond immediately to any sudden onset of chest pain, prioritizing assessment and intervention to rule out serious conditions.
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Description
170A Week 3 & 4 Study Material
