NRS 3015 Exam UPDATED QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
A client with severe arthritis pain requests ibuprofen. Which condition in the client's history
makes NSAID use contraindicated?
A. Hypertension
B. Peptic ulcer disease
C. Osteoarthritis
D. Chronic back pain - CORRECT ANSWER B. Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: NSAIDs increase the risk of GI bleeding and ulcer formation, making them unsafe
for clients with peptic ulcer disease.
A post-op client received 2 mg IV hydromorphone 30 minutes ago. The nurse enters the room
and finds the client difficult to arouse, with shallow respirations at 9/min, and SpO₂ at 86%.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Apply 2 L oxygen via nasal cannula
B. Administer prescribed naloxone
C. Place the client in high Fowler's position
D. Call the rapid response team - CORRECT ANSWER B. Administer prescribed
naloxone
Rationale: This is opioid-induced respiratory depression. Naloxone is the antidote and must
be given immediately to reverse the effects. Oxygen can be applied after.
The nurse is caring for an intubated, sedated client in the ICU. Which signs may indicate
pain? (Select all that apply)
A. Restlessness
, B. Increased blood pressure and heart rate
C. Moaning and grimacing
D. Decreased pupil size
E. Guarding movements - CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C, E
Rationale: Physiologic changes (↑HR, ↑BP), non-verbal cues (grimacing, guarding,
restlessness) indicate pain. Opioids cause pupil constriction, not pain itself.
A nurse is providing information about pain control for a client who has acute pain following
a subtotal gastric resection. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of pain control?
A. "I will call for pain medication before the previous dose wears off."
B. "I will call for pain medication as my pain starts to increase again."
C. "I will wait for you to evaluate my pain before asking for more medication."
D. "I will ask for less medication to avoid addiction." - CORRECT ANSWER B. "I
will call for pain medication as my pain starts to increase again."
Rationale: The client should call for pain medication before the previous dose of medication
wears off or before the pain becomes severe.
The nurse is caring for a client on long-term opioid therapy. Which task can be safely
delegated to the UAP (unlicensed assistive personnel)?
A. Teaching the client about stool softeners
B. Assessing bowel sounds daily
C. Encouraging the client to increase fluids and ambulation
D. Documenting the client's pain level - CORRECT ANSWER C. Encouraging the
client to increase fluids and ambulation
Rationale: UAPs can reinforce non-pharmacologic interventions but cannot assess or teach.
AND CORRECT ANSWERS
A client with severe arthritis pain requests ibuprofen. Which condition in the client's history
makes NSAID use contraindicated?
A. Hypertension
B. Peptic ulcer disease
C. Osteoarthritis
D. Chronic back pain - CORRECT ANSWER B. Peptic ulcer disease
Rationale: NSAIDs increase the risk of GI bleeding and ulcer formation, making them unsafe
for clients with peptic ulcer disease.
A post-op client received 2 mg IV hydromorphone 30 minutes ago. The nurse enters the room
and finds the client difficult to arouse, with shallow respirations at 9/min, and SpO₂ at 86%.
What is the nurse's priority action?
A. Apply 2 L oxygen via nasal cannula
B. Administer prescribed naloxone
C. Place the client in high Fowler's position
D. Call the rapid response team - CORRECT ANSWER B. Administer prescribed
naloxone
Rationale: This is opioid-induced respiratory depression. Naloxone is the antidote and must
be given immediately to reverse the effects. Oxygen can be applied after.
The nurse is caring for an intubated, sedated client in the ICU. Which signs may indicate
pain? (Select all that apply)
A. Restlessness
, B. Increased blood pressure and heart rate
C. Moaning and grimacing
D. Decreased pupil size
E. Guarding movements - CORRECT ANSWER A, B, C, E
Rationale: Physiologic changes (↑HR, ↑BP), non-verbal cues (grimacing, guarding,
restlessness) indicate pain. Opioids cause pupil constriction, not pain itself.
A nurse is providing information about pain control for a client who has acute pain following
a subtotal gastric resection. Which of the following client statements indicates an
understanding of pain control?
A. "I will call for pain medication before the previous dose wears off."
B. "I will call for pain medication as my pain starts to increase again."
C. "I will wait for you to evaluate my pain before asking for more medication."
D. "I will ask for less medication to avoid addiction." - CORRECT ANSWER B. "I
will call for pain medication as my pain starts to increase again."
Rationale: The client should call for pain medication before the previous dose of medication
wears off or before the pain becomes severe.
The nurse is caring for a client on long-term opioid therapy. Which task can be safely
delegated to the UAP (unlicensed assistive personnel)?
A. Teaching the client about stool softeners
B. Assessing bowel sounds daily
C. Encouraging the client to increase fluids and ambulation
D. Documenting the client's pain level - CORRECT ANSWER C. Encouraging the
client to increase fluids and ambulation
Rationale: UAPs can reinforce non-pharmacologic interventions but cannot assess or teach.
