Chapter 9:
Pain Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which question asked by the nurse will give the most
information about the patient’s metastatic bone cancer pain?
a. “How long have you had
this pain?”
b. “How would you describe your
pain?”
c. “How much medication do you
take for the pain?”
d. “How many times a day do you
take medication for the pain?”
ANS: B
Because pain is a multidimensional experience, asking a question that
addresses the patient’s experience with the pain will elicit more infor-
mation than the more specific information asked in the other three re-
sponses. All of these questions are appropriate, but the response be-
ginning “How would you describe your pain?” is the best initial ques-
tion.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 115
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient who uses a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch for chronic cancer
pain suddenly complains of rapid onset pain at a level 9 (0 to 10
scale) and requests “something for pain that will work now.” How will
the nurse document the type of pain reported by this patient?
a. Somatic pain
b. Referred pain
c. Neuropathic pain
d. Breakthrough pain
ANS: D
Pain that occurs beyond the chronic pain already being treated by ap-
propriate analgesics is termed breakthrough pain. Neuropathic pain is
caused by damage to peripheral nerves or the central nervous system
(CNS). Somatic pain is localized and arises from bone, joint, muscle,
skin, or connective tissue. Referred pain is pain that is localized in unin-
jured tissue.
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 121
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological In-
tegrity
3. The nurse teaches a student nurse about the action of ibuprofen.
Which statement, if made by the student, indicates that teaching was
effective?
a. “The drug decreases pain
im- pulses in the spinal
cord.”
b. “The drug decreases sensitivity
of the brain to painful stimuli.”
c. “The drug decreases production
of pain-sensitizing chemicals.”
d. “The drug decreases the
modu- lating effect of
descending
nerves.”
ANS: C
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide analgesic ef-
fects by decreasing the production of pain-sensitizing chemicals such
as prostaglandins at the site of injury. Transmission of impulses through
the spinal cord, brain sensitivity to pain, and the descending nerve
pathways are not affected by NSAIDs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 116
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological In-
tegrity
4. A nurse assesses a patient with chronic cancer pain who is receiving
imipramine (Tofranil) in addition to long-acting morphine. Which
state- ment, if made by the patient, indicates to the nurse that the
patient is receiving adequate pain control?
a. “I’m not anxious at all.”
b. “I sleep 8 hours every night.”
c. “I feel much less depressed since
I’ve been taking the Tofranil.”
d. “The pain is manageable and I
can accomplish my desired activ-
ities.
ANS: D
Imipramine is being used in this patient to manage chronic pain and
improve functional ability. Although the medication is also prescribed
Pain Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which question asked by the nurse will give the most
information about the patient’s metastatic bone cancer pain?
a. “How long have you had
this pain?”
b. “How would you describe your
pain?”
c. “How much medication do you
take for the pain?”
d. “How many times a day do you
take medication for the pain?”
ANS: B
Because pain is a multidimensional experience, asking a question that
addresses the patient’s experience with the pain will elicit more infor-
mation than the more specific information asked in the other three re-
sponses. All of these questions are appropriate, but the response be-
ginning “How would you describe your pain?” is the best initial ques-
tion.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 115
TOP: Nursing Process: Assessment MSC: NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient who uses a fentanyl (Duragesic) patch for chronic cancer
pain suddenly complains of rapid onset pain at a level 9 (0 to 10
scale) and requests “something for pain that will work now.” How will
the nurse document the type of pain reported by this patient?
a. Somatic pain
b. Referred pain
c. Neuropathic pain
d. Breakthrough pain
ANS: D
Pain that occurs beyond the chronic pain already being treated by ap-
propriate analgesics is termed breakthrough pain. Neuropathic pain is
caused by damage to peripheral nerves or the central nervous system
(CNS). Somatic pain is localized and arises from bone, joint, muscle,
skin, or connective tissue. Referred pain is pain that is localized in unin-
jured tissue.
, DIF: Cognitive Level: Apply (application) REF: 121
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological In-
tegrity
3. The nurse teaches a student nurse about the action of ibuprofen.
Which statement, if made by the student, indicates that teaching was
effective?
a. “The drug decreases pain
im- pulses in the spinal
cord.”
b. “The drug decreases sensitivity
of the brain to painful stimuli.”
c. “The drug decreases production
of pain-sensitizing chemicals.”
d. “The drug decreases the
modu- lating effect of
descending
nerves.”
ANS: C
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide analgesic ef-
fects by decreasing the production of pain-sensitizing chemicals such
as prostaglandins at the site of injury. Transmission of impulses through
the spinal cord, brain sensitivity to pain, and the descending nerve
pathways are not affected by NSAIDs.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Understand (comprehension) REF: 116
TOP: Nursing Process: Implementation MSC: NCLEX: Physiological In-
tegrity
4. A nurse assesses a patient with chronic cancer pain who is receiving
imipramine (Tofranil) in addition to long-acting morphine. Which
state- ment, if made by the patient, indicates to the nurse that the
patient is receiving adequate pain control?
a. “I’m not anxious at all.”
b. “I sleep 8 hours every night.”
c. “I feel much less depressed since
I’ve been taking the Tofranil.”
d. “The pain is manageable and I
can accomplish my desired activ-
ities.
ANS: D
Imipramine is being used in this patient to manage chronic pain and
improve functional ability. Although the medication is also prescribed
