Exam 36: Pain Management

The nurse is caring for a patient who is recovering from thoracotomy surgery. The patient's respirations are regular but very shallow. Which intervention is the highest priority for the nurse to include in the patient's care plan for the diagnosis: Ineffective breathing pattern r/t fatigue and pain?

The nurse is checking on the patient after administering pain medication 30 minutes previously. Which assessment finding best indicates to the nurse that the pain medication was effective?

The nurse is caring for a 6-month-old infant who has just undergone surgery. The infant's facial muscles are tight with a furrowed brow and the infant's respirations are shallow and irregular. The infant is mildly fussy and softly crying without muscular rigidity in the arms and legs. What score will the nurse give to the infant on the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has a PCA pump following total hysterectomy surgery. The nurse sees the visitor push the PCA button while the patient is sleeping quietly. What is the best response of the nurse?

What is the priority nursing assessment for a patient who his receiving postoperative epidural analgesia with hydromorphone (Dilaudid)?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has severe abdominal pain caused by acute cholecystitis. What type of pain is this patient experiencing?

The nurse is caring for a patient who just had knee replacement surgery. Which factors will affect how the patient experiences pain after this surgery? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for a patient who has severe burning pain in his right arm caused by a compressed nerve in his neck. Which medications can be used along with a narcotic pain reliever to relieve the patient's pain until surgery can be performed to release the nerve? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for a patient who has pain following abdominal surgery. Which of the following are independent nursing interventions that can be used to make the patient more comfortable? (Select all that apply.)

The nurse is caring for a patient who just underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. The patient tells the nurse that she is experiencing severe postoperative pain between her shoulder blades. Which term best describes the pain that this patient is having?

The nurse is caring for a patient who will be using a hydromorphone (Dilaudid) PCA analgesia pump following surgery. Which intervention is the highest priority for the nurse to include in the patient's care plan for the diagnosis: Readiness for enhanced knowledge r/t appropriate management of PCA pump?

The nurse is caring for a patient with severe chronic pain. The nurse applied the first 50 mcg transdermal fentanyl (Duragesic) patch 2 hours ago. The patient states that the pain is presently rated at 9 on a 1-10 scale. What is the nurse's best action?

The nurse administered 100 mcg sublingual fentanyl spray (Subsys) at 10:00 A.M. to a patient experiencing severe breakthrough pain. At what time will the nurse ask the patient if pain relief was obtained?

The nurse is caring for a patient who has been taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 800 mg TID for the last several months to relieve arthritis pain in her knees. Which assessment finding must be reported to the physician promptly?

Which patient is best suited for PCA analgesia?

The nurse is caring for a diabetic patient who has painful neuropathy in her feet. The patient asks why the nurse is administering gabapentin (Neurontin) when she does not have a history of seizure disorder. What is the nurse's best response?

The nurse is caring for a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who is in constant severe pain. Which nursing diagnosis is the highest priority for this patient?

Which is the best pain medication option for a patient to manage severe long-term cancer pain at home?

The nurse is caring for a trauma patient with the nursing diagnosis of Acute pain r/t fracture and muscle spasms. Which is an appropriate goal for this nursing diagnosis?

The nurse is caring for a patient who is recovering from knee replacement surgery. The patient complains of severe pain in the knee after receiving hydrocodone with acetaminophen (Vicodin) 2 hours previously. What is the nurse's best action?