NEUR 205 Drugs for Pain Management

1. Whattypesofdrugshavethemainpurposeofrelievingpain? a. Anticholinergics b. Antagonists c. Analgesics d. Agonists ANS: C Analgesicshavethespecificpurposeofrelievingpaineitherbychangingthepatient’sperceptionofp ainorbyreducingpainfulstimulationatitssource.Althoughsomeanalgesicsareopioidagonists,the termagonistisnotspecificforapain-relievingdrug. DIF: CognitiveLevel:Knowing REF: p.213 2. Thehealthcareproviderasksyoutorateapatient’spostoperativepain.Whatisyourbestresponse? a. “Heisasleepnow,sohispainlevelisacceptable.” b. “Ithinkweneedtoaskthepatienttoratehisownpain.” c. “Hiswifesayshecanstillfeeltheincisionwhenheturnsorcoughs.” d. “Sincehereceived15mgofmorphineanhourago,hispainisprobablyminimal.” ANS: B Painisalwaysasubjectiveexperience;thatis,painisasensationthepatientfeelsandthatcannotbefelt ormeasuredbysomeoneelse.Accuratepainassessmentisbestmeasuredbythepatient,ifheorsheisn otunconsciousorconfused.Beingasleepdoesnotmeanthatpainisrelieved. DIF: CognitiveLevel:Applying REF: p.210 3. Youarecaringforapatientwhoisparalyzedfromthewaistdownandhasalargeopenwoundonherrig htheel.Whenaskedaboutherpaininthatfoot,shetellsyouitisa0ona0to10painratingscale.Whatdoe sthisresponseindicate? a. Theparalysispreventsherbrainfromperceivingthepain. b. Thepatienthaschronicpainthatdoesnottriggerthestressresponse. c. Sheisafraidofbecomingaddictedifshetakestheprescribeddrugtoooften. d. Thispatient’sacutepainhasbeeneffectivelymanagedbytheprescribedpaindrug. ANS: A Painisfeltorperceivedinthebrainratherthaninthebodyareawhereitoccurs.Whenabodypartisinjur ed,thisinjurystimulatespainnerveendingsinthethumbthatthensend(transmit)electricalnerveim pulsesasasignalfromtheinjurysitealongnervestothespinalcord.Atthespinalcord,theoriginalsign alistransferredtospecialpainnervetractsupthespinalcordtotheareaofthebrainwherepaininthatbo dysiteisperceived.Paralysisfromthewaistdowninthespinalcordpreventsthetransmissionofapai nsignalfromthefootsothatpainisnotperceivednomatterhowdeeporbadtheheelwoundis.