NSG 3130 EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS COMPLETE WITH 100%
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
1. A patient who is experiencing chronic lower back pain reports that the pain
feels "burning and shooting" down the back of the leg. The nurse correctly
documents this type of pain as which of the following?
a. Somatic pain
b. Visceral pain
c. Neuropathic pain
d. Referred pain
Correct Answer: c. Neuropathic pain
Explanation: Neuropathic pain arises from damage to or dysfunction of the
nervous system and is often described as burning, shooting, or tingling. Somatic
pain is localized and aching; visceral pain is diffuse and crampy; referred pain is
felt in a location distant from the source.
2. Which of the following nursing interventions for a patient in pain is based on
the gate control theory?
a. Giving the patient a back massage
b. Changing the patient’s position in bed
c. Giving the patient a pain medication
d. Limiting the number of visitors
Correct Answer: a. Giving the patient a back massage
Explanation: The gate control theory suggests that non-painful stimuli (e.g.,
massage, heat, or cold) can close the "gate" to painful impulses in the spinal cord.
Massage stimulates large-diameter fibers that inhibit pain transmission.
,3. The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports severe incisional
pain. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action?
a. Administer the prescribed PRN opioid immediately
b. Assess the surgical site for redness, swelling, or drainage
c. Reposition the patient to a more comfortable position
d. Offer distraction techniques such as guided imagery
Correct Answer: b. Assess the surgical site for redness, swelling, or drainage
Explanation: Before administering analgesia, the nurse should first assess the
wound for complications such as infection or dehiscence that could be causing or
worsening the pain. This is a safety priority.
4. The patient tells the nurse about a burning sensation in the epigastric area.
The nurse should describe this type of pain as:
a. Referred
b. Radiating
c. Visceral
d. Superficial
Correct Answer: c. Visceral
Explanation: Visceral pain originates from internal organs (e.g., stomach,
intestines) and is often described as burning, cramping, or aching. Referred pain is
felt elsewhere; radiating pain extends along a nerve pathway; superficial pain
arises from skin or mucous membranes.
5. The nurse must frequently assess a patient experiencing pain. When assessing
the intensity of the pain, the nurse should:
a. Ask about what precipitates the pain
b. Question the patient about the location of the pain
c. Offer the patient a pain scale to validate the information
d. Use open-ended questions to find out about the sensation
,Correct Answer: c. Offer the patient a pain scale to validate the information
Explanation: Pain intensity is best measured using a validated pain scale (e.g., 0–
10 numeric, Wong-Baker FACES). Precipitating factors, location, and sensation are
important but do not directly measure intensity.
6. The patient will be going home on a medication administered through a PCA
pump. To assist the family members with an understanding of how this therapy
works, the nurse explains that the patient:
a. Has control over the frequency of the IV analgesic
b. Can choose the dosage of the drug received
c. May request the type of medication received
d. Controls the route for administering the medication
Correct Answer: a. Has control over the frequency of the IV analgesic
Explanation: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) allows the patient to self-
administer preset doses of analgesic by pressing a button, controlling the
frequency (timing) of doses. The dosage, medication type, and route are
predetermined by the provider.
7. An older patient with mild musculoskeletal pain is being seen by the primary
care provider (PCP). The nurse anticipates that treatment of this patient’s level
of discomfort will include:
a. Fentanyl
b. Diazepam
c. Acetaminophen
d. Oxycodone
Correct Answer: c. Acetaminophen
Explanation: For mild musculoskeletal pain in an older adult, acetaminophen is
often the first-line choice due to its safety profile and lower risk of GI bleeding or
renal impairment compared to NSAIDs or opioids.
, 8. A patient receiving morphine via PCA pump has a respiratory rate of 8
breaths/min and is difficult to arouse. Which medication should the nurse
prepare to administer?
a. Naloxone
b. Flumazenil
c. Acetylcysteine
d. Naltrexone
Correct Answer: a. Naloxone
Explanation: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory
depression and sedation caused by opioid overdose. Flumazenil reverses
benzodiazepines; acetylcysteine treats acetaminophen toxicity; naltrexone is used
for alcohol/opioid dependence.
9. The nurse is teaching a patient about nonpharmacologic pain management.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I can use deep breathing to help me relax."
b. "Distraction methods like music may reduce my pain."
c. "Cold packs can help decrease swelling and numb pain."
d. "Heat application should be used for the first 48 hours after an injury."
Correct Answer: d. "Heat application should be used for the first 48 hours after
an injury."
Explanation: Cold therapy is indicated for the first 24–48 hours after an acute
injury to reduce swelling and inflammation. Heat is used for chronic pain or muscle
stiffness, not acute injury.
10. A patient rates their pain as 8/10 on a numeric scale. The nurse administers
IV morphine. At what time should the nurse reassess the patient's pain?
a. 5 minutes
b. 15 minutes
VERIFIED ANSWERS AND DETAILED RATIONALES
1. A patient who is experiencing chronic lower back pain reports that the pain
feels "burning and shooting" down the back of the leg. The nurse correctly
documents this type of pain as which of the following?
a. Somatic pain
b. Visceral pain
c. Neuropathic pain
d. Referred pain
Correct Answer: c. Neuropathic pain
Explanation: Neuropathic pain arises from damage to or dysfunction of the
nervous system and is often described as burning, shooting, or tingling. Somatic
pain is localized and aching; visceral pain is diffuse and crampy; referred pain is
felt in a location distant from the source.
2. Which of the following nursing interventions for a patient in pain is based on
the gate control theory?
a. Giving the patient a back massage
b. Changing the patient’s position in bed
c. Giving the patient a pain medication
d. Limiting the number of visitors
Correct Answer: a. Giving the patient a back massage
Explanation: The gate control theory suggests that non-painful stimuli (e.g.,
massage, heat, or cold) can close the "gate" to painful impulses in the spinal cord.
Massage stimulates large-diameter fibers that inhibit pain transmission.
,3. The nurse is caring for a postoperative patient who reports severe incisional
pain. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action?
a. Administer the prescribed PRN opioid immediately
b. Assess the surgical site for redness, swelling, or drainage
c. Reposition the patient to a more comfortable position
d. Offer distraction techniques such as guided imagery
Correct Answer: b. Assess the surgical site for redness, swelling, or drainage
Explanation: Before administering analgesia, the nurse should first assess the
wound for complications such as infection or dehiscence that could be causing or
worsening the pain. This is a safety priority.
4. The patient tells the nurse about a burning sensation in the epigastric area.
The nurse should describe this type of pain as:
a. Referred
b. Radiating
c. Visceral
d. Superficial
Correct Answer: c. Visceral
Explanation: Visceral pain originates from internal organs (e.g., stomach,
intestines) and is often described as burning, cramping, or aching. Referred pain is
felt elsewhere; radiating pain extends along a nerve pathway; superficial pain
arises from skin or mucous membranes.
5. The nurse must frequently assess a patient experiencing pain. When assessing
the intensity of the pain, the nurse should:
a. Ask about what precipitates the pain
b. Question the patient about the location of the pain
c. Offer the patient a pain scale to validate the information
d. Use open-ended questions to find out about the sensation
,Correct Answer: c. Offer the patient a pain scale to validate the information
Explanation: Pain intensity is best measured using a validated pain scale (e.g., 0–
10 numeric, Wong-Baker FACES). Precipitating factors, location, and sensation are
important but do not directly measure intensity.
6. The patient will be going home on a medication administered through a PCA
pump. To assist the family members with an understanding of how this therapy
works, the nurse explains that the patient:
a. Has control over the frequency of the IV analgesic
b. Can choose the dosage of the drug received
c. May request the type of medication received
d. Controls the route for administering the medication
Correct Answer: a. Has control over the frequency of the IV analgesic
Explanation: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) allows the patient to self-
administer preset doses of analgesic by pressing a button, controlling the
frequency (timing) of doses. The dosage, medication type, and route are
predetermined by the provider.
7. An older patient with mild musculoskeletal pain is being seen by the primary
care provider (PCP). The nurse anticipates that treatment of this patient’s level
of discomfort will include:
a. Fentanyl
b. Diazepam
c. Acetaminophen
d. Oxycodone
Correct Answer: c. Acetaminophen
Explanation: For mild musculoskeletal pain in an older adult, acetaminophen is
often the first-line choice due to its safety profile and lower risk of GI bleeding or
renal impairment compared to NSAIDs or opioids.
, 8. A patient receiving morphine via PCA pump has a respiratory rate of 8
breaths/min and is difficult to arouse. Which medication should the nurse
prepare to administer?
a. Naloxone
b. Flumazenil
c. Acetylcysteine
d. Naltrexone
Correct Answer: a. Naloxone
Explanation: Naloxone is an opioid antagonist used to reverse respiratory
depression and sedation caused by opioid overdose. Flumazenil reverses
benzodiazepines; acetylcysteine treats acetaminophen toxicity; naltrexone is used
for alcohol/opioid dependence.
9. The nurse is teaching a patient about nonpharmacologic pain management.
Which statement by the patient indicates a need for further teaching?
a. "I can use deep breathing to help me relax."
b. "Distraction methods like music may reduce my pain."
c. "Cold packs can help decrease swelling and numb pain."
d. "Heat application should be used for the first 48 hours after an injury."
Correct Answer: d. "Heat application should be used for the first 48 hours after
an injury."
Explanation: Cold therapy is indicated for the first 24–48 hours after an acute
injury to reduce swelling and inflammation. Heat is used for chronic pain or muscle
stiffness, not acute injury.
10. A patient rates their pain as 8/10 on a numeric scale. The nurse administers
IV morphine. At what time should the nurse reassess the patient's pain?
a. 5 minutes
b. 15 minutes
