Question 1

A large family of a patient with terminal cancer pain is constantly calling to report that the patient is in pain or needs to be moved or needs a drink.The nurse is having difficulty caring for other patients because this family is so demanding.What is the best way to deal with this situation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Ask the family to leave. 
B)  Teach the family how to help provide for the patient's basic needs. 
C)  Show the family the hospital policy stating that only two visitors are allowed in the room at a time. 
D)  Negotiate with the family that if they avoid using the call light, the nurse will check on the patient every 30 minutes.

Question 2

A patient with chronic pain is on a sustained-release opioid that is ordered every 12 hours.After 6 hours,the patient complains of increasing pain.Which intervention by the nurse is appropriate?

Accepted Answer

A)  Obtain an order for an immediate-release opioid for breakthrough pain. 
B)  Teach the patient a relaxation technique to use until the next dose is due. 
C)  Assess the patient's vital signs, and administer the next dose of opioid early. 
D)  Explain to the patient that the medication being administered lasts for 12 hours.

Question 3

A physician writes an order to give a saline injection to a patient who has been requesting frequent meperidine (Demerol)shots.Which initial response by the LPN is best?

Accepted Answer

A)  Tell the patient that the physician has ordered a placebo. 
B)  Administer the saline and carefully document the patient's response. 
C)  Tell the patient that a pain shot is being administered, without revealing exactly what it is. 
D)  Tell the physician of feeling uncomfortable administering saline if the patient thinks it is Demerol.

Question 4

A patient requesting pain medication asks that the medication be provided in the form of an injection because it works better.The patient is prescribed oral pain medication.What should the nurse respond to this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  "Injected medications last longer than oral medications." 
B)  "Injected medications work better than oral medications." 
C)  "Injected medications are painful and don't absorb consistently from the muscle." 
D)  "I'll contact your physician to get an order for the medication to be given as an injection."

Question 5

A patient describes abdominal pain as "my belly feels as if a watermelon is stuck in it." What is the best way for the nurse to document this information?

Accepted Answer

A)  Patient feels bloated. 
B)  Patient's abdomen is distended. 
C)  Patient has acute pain related to distended abdomen. 
D)  Patient states his "belly feels as if a watermelon is stuck in it."

Question 6

The nurse is having difficulty assessing the pain of a mentally impaired patient who has an approximate functional level of a 4-year-old child.Which method should the nurse use to determine the patient's pain level?

Accepted Answer

A)  Use the Faces scale. 
B)  Ask "are you hurting?" 
C)  Observe the patient's facial expression. 
D)  Explain to the patient how to use a 0-to-10 pain scale, with 0 being no pain, and 10 being the worst possible pain.

Exam 10: Nursing Care of Patients in Pain

A large family of a patient with terminal cancer pain is constantly calling to report that the patient is in pain or needs to be moved or needs a drink.The nurse is having difficulty caring for other patients because this family is so demanding.What is the best way to deal with this situation?

A patient with chronic pain is on a sustained-release opioid that is ordered every 12 hours.After 6 hours,the patient complains of increasing pain.Which intervention by the nurse is appropriate?

A physician writes an order to give a saline injection to a patient who has been requesting frequent meperidine (Demerol) shots.Which initial response by the LPN is best?

A patient requesting pain medication asks that the medication be provided in the form of an injection because it works better.The patient is prescribed oral pain medication.What should the nurse respond to this patient?

A patient describes abdominal pain as "my belly feels as if a watermelon is stuck in it." What is the best way for the nurse to document this information?

The nurse is having difficulty assessing the pain of a mentally impaired patient who has an approximate functional level of a 4-year-old child.Which method should the nurse use to determine the patient's pain level?