Nokea
What chemical substance(s) produced in the body acts as a natural pain reliever?
- A. Endorphins
- B. Morphine
- C. Codeine
- D. Atropine
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Endorphins are natural body substances that are similar to morphine and may explain why laboring women need smaller doses of analgesia.
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The nurse is providing a conference on nonpharmacological pain control methods. What major advantages of nonpharmacological pain control methods will the nurse include in the presentation? (Select all that apply.)
- A. They sedate the mother.
- B. They do not slow labor.
- C. They do not dull the excitement of the birth experience.
- D. They do not have the potential to cause allergic reactions.
- E. They do not have to be delayed until labor is well established.
Correct Answer: B,C,D,E
Rationale: All the options mentioned are benefits of nonpharmacological pain control methods with the exception of sedating the mother.
The nurse is caring for a laboring patient who is not reporting pain. What sign would alert the nurse of the need for pain relief?
- A. Frequently asking for ice chips
- B. Facial grimacing
- C. Changing positions in bed
- D. Covering her face with her hands
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facial grimacing may be an indicator of unexpressed pain.
What breathing techniques would the nurse teach the prenatal patient to help her focus during labor in order to reduce pain? (Select all that apply.)
- A. First-stage breathing
- B. Abdominal breathing
- C. Fourth-stage breathing
- D. Modified paced breathing
- E. Patterned paced breathing
Correct Answer: A,B,D,E
Rationale: First-stage breathing includes the techniques of modified paced breathing and patterned paced breathing, which are types of abdominal breathing techniques. These patterns of breathing will help a woman in labor to focus and reduce pain perception. The fourth stage of labor is the woman's recovery stage and does not require a breathing technique.
A laboring patient requests hot and cold applications be applied to her abdomen for pain control. How will this intervention act to control pain?
- A. By increasing endorphin production
- B. By facilitating effacement and dilation
- C. By producing increasing pain tolerance
- D. By stimulation of large nerve fibers
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The gate control theory explains how pain impulses reach the brain for interpretation. It supports several nonpharmacological methods of pain control. According to this theory, pain is transmitted through small-diameter nerve fibers. However, the stimulation of large-diameter nerve fibers temporarily interferes with the conduction of impulses through small-diameter fibers. Techniques to stimulate large-diameter fibers and 'close the gate' to painful impulses include massage, palm and fingertip pressure, and heat and cold applications.
The nurse is instructing a Lamaze class on abdominal breathing and tells a patient that her baseline respiratory rate is 22 breaths per minute. What should be the patient's rate while performing slow breathing?
- A. 9
- B. 11
- C. 15
- D. 20
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The range of respirations should be no lower than half of the base rate and no more rapid than double the base rate.