Chapter 08: Pain
Lewis: Medical-Surgical Nursing, 10th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which question asked by the nurse will give the most information about the patient’s
metastatic bone cancer pain?
a. “How long have you had this pain?”
b. “How would you describe your pain?”
c. “How often do you take pain medication?”
d. “How much medication do you take for the pain?”
ANS: B
Because pain is a multidimensional experience, asking a question that addresses the patient’s
experience with the pain will 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: Analysis (analyze)
REF: 102
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient who has had good control for chronic pain using a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch
reports rapid onset pain at a level 9 (0 to 10 scale) and requests “something for pain that will
work quickly.” How will the nurse document the type of pain reported by this patient?
a. Somatic pain
c. Neuropathic pain
b. Referred 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. 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: Apply (application)
REF:
108
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. The nurse teaches a student nurse about the action of ibuprofen. Which statement, if made by
the student, indicates that teaching was effective?
a. “The drug decreases pain impulses in the spinal cord.”
b. “The drug decreases sensitivity of the brain to painful stimuli.”
c. “The drug decreases production of pain-sensitizing chemicals.”
d. “The drug decreases the modulating effect of descending nerves.”
ANS: C
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory 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 NSAIDs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension)
REF: 104
TestBankWorld.org
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
4. A nurse assesses a patient with chronic cancer pain who is receiving imipramine (Tofranil) in
addition to long-acting morphine (MS Contin). Which statement, if made by the patient,
indicates to the nurse that the patient is receiving adequate pain control?
a. “I’m not anxious during the day.”
b. “Every night I get 8 hours of sleep.”
c. “I can accomplish activities without much discomfort.”
d. “I feel less depressed since I’ve been taking the Tofranil.”
ANS: C
Imipramine is being used in this patient to manage chronic pain and improve functional
ability. Although the medication is also 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: Apply (application)
REF:
116
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
5. A patient with chronic back pain has learned to control the pain with the use of imagery and
hypnosis. The patient’s spouse asks the nurse how these techniques work. Which response by
the nurse is accurate?
a. “The strategies work by affecting the perception of pain.”
b. “These techniques block the pain pathways of the nerves.”
c. “These strategies prevent transmission of stimuli from the back to the brain.”
d. “The therapies slow the release of chemicals in the spinal cord that cause pain.”
ANS: A
Cognitive therapies affect the perception of pain by the brain rather than affecting efferent or
afferent pathways or influencing the release of chemical transmitters in the dorsal horn.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
121
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
6. 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 appropriate for treating this change in assessment?
a. Suggest amitriptyline 10 mg orally.
b. Administer lorazepam (Ativan) 1 mg orally.
c. Give ibuprofen (Motrin) 400 to 800 mg orally.
d. Offer immediate-release morphine 30 mg orally.
ANS: D
The severe breakthrough pain indicates that the initial therapy should be a rapidly acting
opioid, such as the immediate-release morphine. Lorazepam and amitriptyline may be
appropriate to use as adjuvant therapy, but they are not likely to block severe breakthrough
pain. Use of antianxiety agents for pain control is inappropriate because this patient’s anxiety
is caused by the pain.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
108
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
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7. A patient with chronic neck pain is seen in the pain clinic for follow-up. To evaluate whether
the pain management is effective, which question is best for the nurse to ask?
a. “Has there been a change in pain location?”
b. “Can you describe the quality of your pain?”
c. “How would you rate your pain on a 0 to 10 scale?”
d. “Does the pain keep you from activities that you enjoy?”
ANS: D
The goal for the treatment of chronic pain usually is to enhance function and quality of life.
The other questions are also appropriate to ask, but information about patient function is more
useful in evaluating effectiveness.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
107
TOP: Nursing Process: Evaluation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
8. A patient with a deep partial thickness burn has been receiving hydromorphone through
patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) for 1 week. The nurse caring for the patient during the
previous shift reports that the patient wakes up frequently during the night complaining of
pain. What action by the nurse is appropriate?
a. Administer a dose of morphine every 1 to 2 hours from the PCA machine while the
patient is sleeping.
b. Consult with the health care provider about using a different treatment protocol to
control the patient’s pain.
c. Request that the health care provider order a bolus dose of morphine to be given
when the patient awakens with pain.
d. Teach the patient to push the button every 10 minutes for an hour before going to
sleep, even if the pain is minimal.
ANS: B
PCAs are best for controlling acute pain. This patient’s history indicates a need for a pain
management plan that will provide adequate analgesia while the patient is sleeping.
Administering a dose of morphine when the patient already has severe pain will not address
the problem. Teaching the patient to administer unneeded medication before going to sleep
can result in oversedation and respiratory depression. It is illegal for the nurse to administer
the morphine for a patient through PCA.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
107
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
9. The nurse assesses that a patient receiving epidural morphine has not voided for more than 10
hours. What action should the nurse take initially?
a. Place an indwelling urinary catheter.
b. Monitor for signs of narcotic overdose.
c. Ask if the patient feels the need to void.
d. Encourage the patient to drink more fluids.
ANS: C
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Urinary retention is a common side effect of epidural opioids. Assess whether the patient feels
the need to void. Because urinary retention is a possible side effect, there is no reason for
concern of overdose symptoms. Placing an indwelling catheter requires an order from the
health care provider. Usually an in-and-out catheter is performed to empty the bladder if the
patient is unable to void because of the risk of infection with an indwelling catheter.
Encouraging oral fluids may lead to bladder distention if the patient is unable to void, but
might be useful if a patient who is able to void has a fluid deficit.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
114
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
10. The nurse assesses that a home hospice patient with terminal cancer who complains of severe
pain has a respiratory rate of 11 breaths/min. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Inform the patient that increasing the morphine will cause the respiratory drive to
fail.
b. Tell the patient that additional morphine can be administered when the respirations
are 12.
c. Titrate the prescribed morphine dose up until the patient indicates adequate pain
relief.
d. Administer a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) to improve patient pain
control.
ANS: C
The goal of opioid use in terminally ill patients is effective pain relief regardless of adverse
effects such as respiratory depression. A nonopioid analgesic such as ibuprofen would not
provide adequate analgesia or be absorbed quickly. The rule of double effect provides ethical
justification for administering an increased morphine dose to provide effective pain control
even though the morphine may further decrease the patient’s respiratory rate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
125
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
11. 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?
a. Amitriptyline 50 mg at bedtime
b. Ibuprofen 800 mg 3 times daily
c. Oxycodone (OxyContin) 80 mg twice daily
d. Meperidine (Demerol) 25 mg every 4 hours
ANS: D
Meperidine is contraindicated for chronic pain because it forms a metabolite that is neurotoxic
and can cause seizures when used for prolonged periods. The ibuprofen, amitriptyline, and
oxycodone are appropriate medications for long-term pain management.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
114
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
12. Which medication should the nurse administer for a patient with cancer who describes the
pain as “deep, aching and at a level 8 on a 0 to 10 scale”?
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a.
b.
c.
d.
Ketorolac tablets
Fentanyl (Duragesic) patch
Hydromorphone (Dilaudid) IV
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) suppository
ANS: C
The patient’s pain level indicates that a rapidly acting medication such as an IV opioid is
needed. The other medications may also be appropriate to use but will not work as rapidly or
as effectively as the IV hydromorphone.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
112
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
13. The nurse is caring for a patient who has diabetes and complains of chronic, burning leg pain
even when taking oxycodone (OxyContin) twice daily. Which prescribed medication is the
best choice for the nurse to administer as an adjuvant to decrease the patient’s pain?
a. Aspirin
c. Celecoxib (Celebrex)
b. Amitriptyline
d. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
ANS: B
The patient’s pain symptoms are consistent with neuropathic pain and the tricyclic
antidepressants are effective for treating this type of pain. The other medications are more
effective for nociceptive pain.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
106
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
14. A patient who uses a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch for chronic abdominal pain caused by ovarian
cancer asks the nurse to administer the prescribed hydrocodone tablets, but the patient is
asleep when the nurse returns with the medication. Which action is best for the nurse to take?
a. Wake the patient and administer the hydrocodone.
b. Wait until the patient wakes up and reassess the pain.
c. Suggest the use of nondrug therapies for pain relief instead of additional opioids.
d. Consult with the health care provider about changing the fentanyl (Duragesic)
dose.
ANS: A
Because patients with chronic pain frequently use withdrawal and decreased activity as coping
mechanisms for pain, sleep is not an indicator that the patient is pain free. The nurse should
wake the patient and administer the hydrocodone.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
107
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
15. 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?
a. Morphine
c. Pentazocine (Talwin)
b. Dexamethasone
d. Celecoxib (Celebrex)
ANS: C
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Opioid agonist-antagonists can precipitate withdrawal if used in a patient who is physically
dependent on mu agonist drugs such as morphine. The other medications are appropriate for
the patient.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
114
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
16. The nurse is caring for a patient who had abdominal surgery yesterday and is receiving
morphine through patient-controlled analgesia (PCA). What action by the nurse is a priority?
a. Assessing for nausea
c. Checking the respiratory rate
b. Auscultating bowel sounds
d. Evaluating for sacral redness
ANS: C
The patient’s respiratory rate is the highest priority of care while using PCA medication
because of the possible respiratory depression. The other areas also require assessment but do
not reflect immediately life-threatening complications.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis (analyze)
REF: 115
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
17. A patient who has fibromyalgia reports pain at level 7 (0 to 10 scale). The patient tells the
nurse, “I feel depressed because I ache too much to play golf.” Which patient goal has the
highest priority when the nurse is developing the treatment plan?
a. The patient will report pain at a level 2 of 10.
b. The patient will be able to play a round of golf.
c. The patient will exhibit fewer signs of depression.
d. The patient will say that the aching has decreased.
ANS: B
For chronic pain, patients are encouraged to set functional goals such as being able to perform
daily activities and hobbies. The patient has identified playing golf as the desired activity, so a
pain level of 2 of 10 or a decrease in aching would be less useful in evaluating successful
treatment. The nurse should also assess for depression, but the patient has identified the
depression as being due to the inability to play golf, so the goal of being able to play golf is
the most appropriate.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
107
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
18. A patient who has just started taking sustained-release morphine sulfate (MS Contin) for
chronic arthritic joint pain after a traumatic injury complains of nausea and abdominal
fullness. Which action should the nurse take initially?
a. Administer the ordered antiemetic medication.
b. Order the patient a clear liquid diet until the nausea decreases.
c. Tell the patient that the nausea should subside in about a week.
d. Consult with the health care provider about using a different opioid.
ANS: A
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Nausea is frequently experienced with the initiation of opioid therapy, and antiemetics usually
are prescribed to treat this expected side effect. The best choice would be to administer the
antiemetic medication so the patient can eat. There is no indication that a different opioid is
needed, although if the nausea persists, the health care provider may order a change of opioid.
Although tolerance develops and the nausea will subside in about a week, it is not appropriate
to allow the patient to continue to be nauseated. A clear liquid diet may decrease the nausea
but may not provide needed nutrients for injury healing.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
REF: 114
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
19. A patient with terminal cancer–related 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?
a. Use distraction by talking about things the patient enjoys.
b. Suggest the use of alternative therapies such as heat or cold.
c. Administer the prescribed PRN immediate-acting morphine.
d. Consult with the doctor about increasing the MS Contin dose.
ANS: C
The patient’s pain requires rapid treatment, and the nurse should administer the
immediate-acting morphine. Increasing the MS Contin dose and use of alternative therapies
and distraction may also be needed, but the initial action should be to use the prescribed
analgesic medications.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
REF: 126
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
20. 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?
a. Check the skin under the heating pad.
b. Count the respiratory rate every 2 hours.
c. Ask the patient whether pain control is effective.
d. Monitor sedation using the sedation assessment scale.
ANS: B
Obtaining the respiratory rate is included in UAP education and scope of practice. Assessment
for sedation, pain control, and skin integrity requires more education and scope of practice.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
123
OBJ: Special Questions: Delegation
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
21. A patient who is using both 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 take first?
a. Remove the fentanyl patch.
b. Obtain complete vital signs.
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c. Notify the health care provider.
d. Administer prescribed PRN naloxone
ANS: A
The assessment data indicate a possible overdose of opioid. The first action should be to
remove the patch. Naloxone administration in a patient who has been chronically using
opioids can precipitate withdrawal and would not be the first action. Notification of the health
care provider and continued monitoring are also needed, but the patient’s data indicate that
more rapid action is needed. The respiratory rate alone is an indicator for immediate action
before obtaining blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
REF: 118
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
22. The nurse reviews the medication orders for an older patient with arthritis in both hips who
reports level 3 (0 to 10 scale) hip pain while ambulating. Which medication should the nurse
offer as initial therapy?
a. Naproxen 200 mg orally
b. Oxycodone 5 mg orally
c. Acetaminophen 650 mg orally
d. Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) 650 mg orally
ANS: C
Acetaminophen is the best first-choice medication. The principle of “start low, go slow” is
used to guide therapy when treating older adults because the ability to metabolize medications
is decreased and the likelihood of medication interactions is increased. Nonopioid analgesics
are used first for mild to moderate pain, although opioids may be used later. Aspirin and
nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs are associated with a high incidence of gastrointestinal
bleeding in older patients.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
REF: 112
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
23. The nurse on a surgical inpatient unit is caring for several patients. Which patient should the
nurse assess first?
a. Patient with postoperative pain who received morphine sulfate IV 15 minutes ago
b. Patient who received hydromorphone (Dilaudid) 1 hour ago and is currently asleep
c. Patient who was treated for pain just prior to return from the postanesthesia care
unit
d. Patient with neuropathic pain who is scheduled to receive a dose of hydrocodone
(Lortab) now
ANS: C
The risk for oversedation is greatest in the first 4 hours after transfer from the postanesthesia
care unit. Patients should be reassessed 30 minutes after receiving IV opioids for pain. A
scheduled oral medication does not need to be administered exactly at the scheduled time. A
patient who falls asleep after pain medication can be allowed to rest.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analyze (analysis)
REF: 115
TestBankWorld.org
OBJ: Special Questions: Prioritization | Special Questions: Multiple Patients
TOP: Nursing Process: Planning
MSC: NCLEX: Safe and Effective Care Environment
MULTIPLE RESPONSE
1. The health care provider orders a patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) machine to provide pain
relief for a patient with acute surgical pain who has never received opioids before. Which
nursing actions regarding opioid administration are appropriate at this time (select all that
apply)?
a. Assess for signs that the patient is becoming addicted to the opioid.
b. Monitor for therapeutic and adverse effects of opioid administration.
c. Emphasize that the risk of some opioid side effects increases over time.
d. Teach the patient about how analgesics improve postoperative activity levels.
e. Provide instructions on decreasing opioid doses by the second postoperative day.
ANS: B, D
Monitoring for pain relief and teaching the patient about how opioid use will improve
postoperative outcomes are appropriate actions when administering opioids for acute pain.
Although postoperative patients usually need a decreasing amount of opioids by the second
postoperative day, each patient’s response is individual. Tolerance may occur, but addiction to
opioids will not develop in the acute postoperative period. The patient should use the opioids
to achieve adequate pain control, so the nurse should not emphasize the adverse effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
115
OBJ: Special Questions: Alternate item format: Multiple response
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A nurse assesses a postoperative patient 2 days after chest surgery. What findings indicate that
the patient requires better pain management (select all that apply)?
a. Confusion
b. Hypoglycemia
c. Poor cough effort
d. Shallow breathing
e. Elevated temperature
ANS: A, C, D, E
Inadequate pain control can decrease tidal volume and cough effort, leading to complications
such as pneumonia with increases in temperature. Poor pain control may lead to confusion
through a variety of mechanism, including hypoventilation and poor sleep quality. Stressors
such as pain cause increased release of corticosteroids that can result in hyperglycemia.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
103
OBJ: Special Questions: Alternate item format: Multiple response
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
OTHER
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1. A patient with chronic pain who has been receiving morphine sulfate 20 mg IV over 24 hours
is to be discharged home on oral sustained-release morphine (MS Contin) administered twice
a day. What dosage of MS Contin will be needed for each dose to obtain an equianalgesic
dose for the patient? (Morphine sulfate 10 mg IV is equianalgesic to morphine sulfate 30 mg
orally.)
ANS:
MS Contin 30 mg/dose
Morphine sulfate 20 mg IV over 24 hours will be equianalgesic to MS Contin 60 mg in 24
hours. Because the total dose needs to be divided into two doses, each dose should be 30 mg.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application)
REF:
117
OBJ: Special Questions: Alternate item format: Fill in the blank
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation
MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
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