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TANNER BAILEY PAIN MANAGEMENT
SHADOW HEALTH FOCUSED EXAM
1. Q: The most important initial question when a patient
reports pain is:
A) “Can you rate your pain?”
B) “When did the pain start?”
C) “How has the pain changed over time?”
D) “What makes it better or worse?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Establishing the onset of pain is the first step in
the OLDCARTS mnemonic. It helps determine whether the
pain is acute or chronic, which guides the urgency and
direction of further questioning. The onset also helps identify
potential triggers (such as a recent injury or surgery).
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2. Q: When interviewing a patient about pain, what is the
most appropriate way to ask about the quality of their
pain?
A) “Is the pain sharp or dull?”
B) “Can you describe the pain in your own words?”
C) “What does your pain feel like?”
D) “Is the pain burning, stabbing, or throbbing?”
Answer: C
Rationale: An open-ended question (“What does it feel
like?”) allows the patient to describe the sensation without
being led. This yields a more accurate picture of the pain’s
nature (nociceptive vs. neuropathic). Closed-ended questions
or lists can bias the answer.
3. Q: Which pain rating scale is most appropriate for an alert,
communicative adult?
A) Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
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B) Numeric Rating Scale (0–10)
C) FLACC scale
D) CRIES scale
Answer: B
Rationale: The Numeric Rating Scale is quick, easy to
understand, and widely used in adults who can reliably
report a number. Wong-Baker and FLACC are intended for
children or non-verbal patients; CRIES is for neonates.
4. Q: In the Shadow Health simulation, Tanner Bailey’s chief
complaint is:
A) Acute chest pain after a fall
B) Chronic, recurrent lower back pain after lifting a box at
work
C) Migraine headaches exacerbated by stress
D) Abdominal pain due to a gastrointestinal disorder
Answer: B
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Rationale: The case materials consistently state that Tanner
Bailey (a 29-year-old transgender man) presented to the
clinic with back pain that began 13 weeks ago after he
lifted a heavy box at work.
5. Q: Which of the following is the best opening question for a
patient with pain?
A) “Why did you come to the clinic today?”
B) “Are you in pain?”
C) “Tell me about the pain you are having.”
D) “Does your pain interfere with your daily activities?”
Answer: C
Rationale: An open-ended statement (“Tell me about the
pain”) respects the patient’s experience and invites them to
share the story in their own words. It is non-leading and
facilitates a complete description of the problem.
TANNER BAILEY PAIN MANAGEMENT
SHADOW HEALTH FOCUSED EXAM
1. Q: The most important initial question when a patient
reports pain is:
A) “Can you rate your pain?”
B) “When did the pain start?”
C) “How has the pain changed over time?”
D) “What makes it better or worse?”
Answer: B
Rationale: Establishing the onset of pain is the first step in
the OLDCARTS mnemonic. It helps determine whether the
pain is acute or chronic, which guides the urgency and
direction of further questioning. The onset also helps identify
potential triggers (such as a recent injury or surgery).
,Page 2 of 139
2. Q: When interviewing a patient about pain, what is the
most appropriate way to ask about the quality of their
pain?
A) “Is the pain sharp or dull?”
B) “Can you describe the pain in your own words?”
C) “What does your pain feel like?”
D) “Is the pain burning, stabbing, or throbbing?”
Answer: C
Rationale: An open-ended question (“What does it feel
like?”) allows the patient to describe the sensation without
being led. This yields a more accurate picture of the pain’s
nature (nociceptive vs. neuropathic). Closed-ended questions
or lists can bias the answer.
3. Q: Which pain rating scale is most appropriate for an alert,
communicative adult?
A) Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale
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B) Numeric Rating Scale (0–10)
C) FLACC scale
D) CRIES scale
Answer: B
Rationale: The Numeric Rating Scale is quick, easy to
understand, and widely used in adults who can reliably
report a number. Wong-Baker and FLACC are intended for
children or non-verbal patients; CRIES is for neonates.
4. Q: In the Shadow Health simulation, Tanner Bailey’s chief
complaint is:
A) Acute chest pain after a fall
B) Chronic, recurrent lower back pain after lifting a box at
work
C) Migraine headaches exacerbated by stress
D) Abdominal pain due to a gastrointestinal disorder
Answer: B
, Page 4 of 139
Rationale: The case materials consistently state that Tanner
Bailey (a 29-year-old transgender man) presented to the
clinic with back pain that began 13 weeks ago after he
lifted a heavy box at work.
5. Q: Which of the following is the best opening question for a
patient with pain?
A) “Why did you come to the clinic today?”
B) “Are you in pain?”
C) “Tell me about the pain you are having.”
D) “Does your pain interfere with your daily activities?”
Answer: C
Rationale: An open-ended statement (“Tell me about the
pain”) respects the patient’s experience and invites them to
share the story in their own words. It is non-leading and
facilitates a complete description of the problem.
