NURN 153 - Comfort: Pain Management
questions and answers graded A+
1. Differentiate between acute versus chronic pain. - correct answer
a. Define acute pain and chronic pain. - correct answer Acute pain - episode of pain that lasts from
seconds to less than 6 months.
Chronic pain - episode of pain that lasts for 6 months or longer; may be intermittent or continuous.
b. Explain the causes and purpose for acute pain and chronic pain. - correct answer ACUTE Pain:
• In response to a problem.
• Protective.
• Self-Limiting.
CHRONIC Pain:
• Does not always have identifiable pathology.
• Serves no purpose.
• ↓ quality of life.
c. Discuss when acute pain ends versus chronic pain. - correct answer Acute pain happens quickly
and goes away when there is no cause, but chronic pain lasts longer than six months and can
continue when the injury or illness has been treated.
2. Identify myths and barriers that interfere with effective pain management - correct answer
a. Discuss myths held by clinicians, including how it may impact the ability to manage a client's pain. -
correct answer Clinicians:
Myth #1 Pain does not exist in the absence of
physical or behavioral signs: Not true. The client may not have signs or symptoms.
Myth #2: Narcotic pain medication will lead to
, addiction: Not true. 8-12% do develop an opioid disorder.
Myth #3: The client in pain will ask for pain
medication: Not true. The client may see the nurse being busy.
Myth #4: Clients who are asleep are not in pain: Not true. Client may fall asleep due to exhaustion
and wake up again because of pain.
Myth #5: Some procedures or illnesses don't
produce pain. False.
Myth #6: Clients who are knowledgeable about
pain meds are addicts or drug seekers: False. The client may be knowledgeable about their health or
drugs.
b. Discuss myths held by clients and their families, including how it may impact the ability to manage
a client's pain. - correct answer Clients and Caregivers:
Myth #1: Pain is a result of aging: False. Clients don't seek help.
Myth #2: Narcotic pain medication will lead to addiction.
Myth #3: Taking pain medication makes me weak. Men were taught to be stoic.
Myth #4: Side effects are worse than the medicine: True. Side effects can be managed.
Myth #5: I might lose control if I take pain medicine. False.
Myth #6: Pain medicine means I am really sick: True. If the client doesn't go and find out.
Myth #7: I shouldn't take pain medicine unless my pain is really severe. The client waits too long for
their pain to be managed.
3. Describe the physiology of pain - correct answer
a. Define nociception. - correct answer NOCICEPTION: the process by which
information about tissue damage is
conveyed to the central nervous
system.
b. List where nociceptors are in the body. - correct answer nociceptors are located primarily within
the skin; joints; connective tissue; muscle; and thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic viscera.
questions and answers graded A+
1. Differentiate between acute versus chronic pain. - correct answer
a. Define acute pain and chronic pain. - correct answer Acute pain - episode of pain that lasts from
seconds to less than 6 months.
Chronic pain - episode of pain that lasts for 6 months or longer; may be intermittent or continuous.
b. Explain the causes and purpose for acute pain and chronic pain. - correct answer ACUTE Pain:
• In response to a problem.
• Protective.
• Self-Limiting.
CHRONIC Pain:
• Does not always have identifiable pathology.
• Serves no purpose.
• ↓ quality of life.
c. Discuss when acute pain ends versus chronic pain. - correct answer Acute pain happens quickly
and goes away when there is no cause, but chronic pain lasts longer than six months and can
continue when the injury or illness has been treated.
2. Identify myths and barriers that interfere with effective pain management - correct answer
a. Discuss myths held by clinicians, including how it may impact the ability to manage a client's pain. -
correct answer Clinicians:
Myth #1 Pain does not exist in the absence of
physical or behavioral signs: Not true. The client may not have signs or symptoms.
Myth #2: Narcotic pain medication will lead to
, addiction: Not true. 8-12% do develop an opioid disorder.
Myth #3: The client in pain will ask for pain
medication: Not true. The client may see the nurse being busy.
Myth #4: Clients who are asleep are not in pain: Not true. Client may fall asleep due to exhaustion
and wake up again because of pain.
Myth #5: Some procedures or illnesses don't
produce pain. False.
Myth #6: Clients who are knowledgeable about
pain meds are addicts or drug seekers: False. The client may be knowledgeable about their health or
drugs.
b. Discuss myths held by clients and their families, including how it may impact the ability to manage
a client's pain. - correct answer Clients and Caregivers:
Myth #1: Pain is a result of aging: False. Clients don't seek help.
Myth #2: Narcotic pain medication will lead to addiction.
Myth #3: Taking pain medication makes me weak. Men were taught to be stoic.
Myth #4: Side effects are worse than the medicine: True. Side effects can be managed.
Myth #5: I might lose control if I take pain medicine. False.
Myth #6: Pain medicine means I am really sick: True. If the client doesn't go and find out.
Myth #7: I shouldn't take pain medicine unless my pain is really severe. The client waits too long for
their pain to be managed.
3. Describe the physiology of pain - correct answer
a. Define nociception. - correct answer NOCICEPTION: the process by which
information about tissue damage is
conveyed to the central nervous
system.
b. List where nociceptors are in the body. - correct answer nociceptors are located primarily within
the skin; joints; connective tissue; muscle; and thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic viscera.
