Nokea
During postconference, nursing students are exploring definitions of pain and its nature. Which statements should be included in this discussion? Select all that apply.
- A. It is whatever the health care provider treating the pain says it is.
- B. Pain exists whenever the person experiencing it says it is present.
- C. It is an emotional and sensory reaction to tissue damage.
- D. Pain is a simple, universal, and easy-to-describe phenomenon.
- E. When a cause cannot be identified, pain is psychological in nature.
- F. It is classified by duration, location, source, transmission, and etiology.
Correct Answer: B,C,F
Rationale: Pain is defined as whatever the patient says it is (B), an emotional and sensory reaction to tissue damage (C), and classified by duration, location, source, transmission, and etiology (F). It is not defined by the provider (A), nor is it simple or universal (D). Pain without an identifiable cause is not necessarily psychological (E).
You may also like to solve these questions
A nurse in a rehabilitation facility is evaluating patients with chronic pain to develop an interprofessional plan of care. Which patients would the nurse identify who could benefit from a multimodal approach to pain management? Select all that apply.
- A. Patient receiving chemotherapy for bladder cancer
- B. Adolescent who had an appendectomy
- C. Patient who is experiencing a ruptured aneurysm
- D. Patient with fibromyalgia requesting pain medication
- E. Patient having back pain related to an accident that occurred last year
- F. Patient experiencing pain from second-degree burns
Correct Answer: A,D,E
Rationale: Chronic pain, lasting beyond the normal healing period, benefits from a multimodal approach. Patients with cancer pain (A), fibromyalgia (D), and chronic back pain (E) fit this criterion. Appendectomy (B) and burns (F) typically involve acute pain, and a ruptured aneurysm (C) is an emergency requiring immediate intervention.
A nurse on an adult surgical floor enters a patient room and observes a family member pressing the button to administer a dose of PCA via the infusion pump. What response by the nurse is most appropriate?
- A. That dose will sure be helpful after their type of surgery.
- B. Having only the patient use the pump prevents respiratory complications.
- C. If the patient asked you to press the button, then it's OK.
- D. Since the pump has built in safeguards, you can help with pain management.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: PCA by proxy (family administering doses) risks overdose, oversedation, and respiratory depression (B). Only the patient should press the PCA button, regardless of safeguards (D) or patient requests (C), and option A ignores the safety issue.
Students in a leadership class are discussing how social determinants of health affect pain management. Which statement is correct and should be included in the discussion?
- A. Outcomes of pain management are generally satisfactory regardless of income.
- B. Minority patients often receive excess medication.
- C. Patients from minority groups often wait a long time before seeking treatment for pain.
- D. Social determinants of health are unrelated to pain management.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Social determinants impact pain management; minority patients often delay seeking treatment due to access barriers, cultural factors, or mistrust (C). Outcomes vary by income (A), minority patients often receive less medication (B), and social determinants are related to pain management (D).
A pregnant woman has received an epidural analgesic prior to delivery. Assessment for which outcome to the medication will the nurse prioritize?
- A. Pruritus
- B. Urinary retention
- C. Vomiting
- D. Respiratory depression
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Respiratory depression (D) is the priority outcome to monitor with epidural opioids, as it is life-threatening. Pruritus, urinary retention, and vomiting (A, B, C) are less critical side effects.
A nurse is caring for patients who are nonverbal. What are examples of behavioral responses to pain? Select all that apply.
- A. Cradling a wrist that was injured in a car accident
- B. Moaning and crying from abdominal pain
- C. Increasing pulse following a myocardial infarction
- D. Striking out at a nurse who attempts to provide a bath
- E. Acting depressed and withdrawn while experiencing chronic cancer pain
- F. Pulling away from a nurse trying to give an injection
Correct Answer: A,B,D,F
Rationale: Behavioral responses include cradling an injured area (A), moaning and crying (B), striking out (D), and pulling away (F). Increased pulse (C) is a physiologic response, and depression/withdrawal (E) is an affective response.