Critical Care Nursing Questions and
answers 100%Correctly verified answers
latest update 2025/2026 RATED A+
Which statement best describes the concept of pain?
a.
Pain is an uncomfortable experience present only in the patient with an intact nervous system.
b.
Pain is an unpleasant experience accompanied by crying and tachycardia.
c.
Pain is activation of the sympathetic nervous system from an injury.
d.
Pain is whatever the patient experiencing it says it is, occurring when that patient says it does. -
CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: D
Pain is described as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential
tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. This definition emphasizes the subjective and
multidimensional nature of pain. More specifically, the subjective characteristic implies that pain is
whatever the person experiencing it says it is and that it exists whenever he or she says it does.
What are the neural processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli associated with pain called?
a.
Perception
b.
Nociception
c.
Transduction
d.
,Transmission - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Nociception represents the neural processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli necessary, but
not sufficient, for pain. Transduction refers to mechanical (eg, surgical incision), thermal (eg, burn), or
chemical (eg, toxic substance) stimuli that damage tissues. As a result of transduction, an action
potential is produced and is transmitted by nociceptive nerve fibers in the spinal cord that reach higher
centers of the brain. This is called transmission, and it represents the second process of nociception.
Pain sensation transmitted by the nervous system (NS) pathway reaches the thalamus, and the pain
sensation transmitted by the parasympathetic nervous system (PS) pathway reaches brainstem,
hypothalamus, and thalamus. These parts of the central nervous system (CNS) contribute to the initial
perception of pain.
C fibers are small-diameter, unmyelinated fibers that transmit what type of pain?
a.
Aching
b.
Sharp
c.
Prickling
d.
Concentrated - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
C fibers are implicated in the transmission of pain described as dull, diffuse, prolonged, and delayed.
Alpha fibers conduct the rapid acute pain sensation described as prickling, sharp, and fast. These fibers
are activated by mechanical and thermal stimuli and are carried by the neospinothalamic tract.
Which assessment findings might indicate respiratory depression after opioid administration?
a.
Flushed, diaphoretic skin
b.
Shallow respirations with a rate of 24 breaths/min
,c.
Tense, rigid posture
d.
Snoring - CORRECT ANSWERS Answer: D. Snoring is a warning sign. It can be a sign of
respiratory depression associated with airway obstruction by the tongue, leading to hypoxemia and
possibly to cardiorespiratory arrest. A patient snoring after the administration of an opioid requires the
critical care nurse to observe closely.
The patient is admitted to the critical care unit with hemodynamic instability and an allergy to
morphine. The nurse anticipates that the practitioner will order which medication for severe pain?
a.
Hydromorphone
b.
Codeine
c.
Fentanyl
d.
Methadone - CORRECT ANSWERS Answer: C. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid preferred for
critically ill patients with hemodynamic instability or morphine allergy. Hydromorphone is a
semisynthetic opioid that has an onset of action and a duration similar to those of morphine. It is more
potent than morphine. Hydromorphone produces an inactive metabolite (ie, hydromorphone-3-
glucuronide), making it the opioid of choice for use in patients with end-stage renal disease. Codeine has
limited use in the management of severe pain. It is rarely used in critical care units. It provides analgesia
for mild to moderate pain. It is usually compounded with a nonopioid. Methadone is a synthetic opioid
with morphine-like properties but less sedation. It is longer acting than morphine and has a long half-
life. This makes it difficult to titrate in the critical care patient
Which combinations of drugs has been found to be effective in managing the pain associated with
musculoskeletal and soft tissue inflammation?
a.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids
, b.
NSAIDs and antidepressants
c.
Opioid agonists and opioid antagonists
d.
Adjuvants and partial agonists - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in combination with opioids is indicated in
patients with acute musculoskeletal and soft tissue inflammation.
A patient underwent a thoracotomy 12 hours ago and has continuous epidural analgesia with morphine.
In addition to respiratory depression, the patient should be monitored for which complications?
a.
Urinary retention, undue somnolence, itching, nausea, and vomiting
b.
Urinary incontinence, photophobia, headache, and skin rash
c.
Apprehension, anxiety, restlessness, sadness, anger, and myoclonus
d.
Gastric bleeding, nasal discharge, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and calf pain - CORRECT ANSWERS
ANS: A
Epidural analgesia is commonly used in critical care units after major abdominal surgery, nephrectomy,
thoracotomy, and major orthopedic procedures. Monitor for adverse reactions, including respiratory
depression, urinary retention, undue somnolence, itching, seizures, nausea, and vomiting.
A patient underwent a thoracotomy 12 hours ago and has continuous epidural analgesia with morphine.
In addition to closely monitoring the patient for side effects and complications, which intervention might
enhance the patient's pain control?
a.
answers 100%Correctly verified answers
latest update 2025/2026 RATED A+
Which statement best describes the concept of pain?
a.
Pain is an uncomfortable experience present only in the patient with an intact nervous system.
b.
Pain is an unpleasant experience accompanied by crying and tachycardia.
c.
Pain is activation of the sympathetic nervous system from an injury.
d.
Pain is whatever the patient experiencing it says it is, occurring when that patient says it does. -
CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: D
Pain is described as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential
tissue damage or described in terms of such damage. This definition emphasizes the subjective and
multidimensional nature of pain. More specifically, the subjective characteristic implies that pain is
whatever the person experiencing it says it is and that it exists whenever he or she says it does.
What are the neural processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli associated with pain called?
a.
Perception
b.
Nociception
c.
Transduction
d.
,Transmission - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: B
Nociception represents the neural processes of encoding and processing noxious stimuli necessary, but
not sufficient, for pain. Transduction refers to mechanical (eg, surgical incision), thermal (eg, burn), or
chemical (eg, toxic substance) stimuli that damage tissues. As a result of transduction, an action
potential is produced and is transmitted by nociceptive nerve fibers in the spinal cord that reach higher
centers of the brain. This is called transmission, and it represents the second process of nociception.
Pain sensation transmitted by the nervous system (NS) pathway reaches the thalamus, and the pain
sensation transmitted by the parasympathetic nervous system (PS) pathway reaches brainstem,
hypothalamus, and thalamus. These parts of the central nervous system (CNS) contribute to the initial
perception of pain.
C fibers are small-diameter, unmyelinated fibers that transmit what type of pain?
a.
Aching
b.
Sharp
c.
Prickling
d.
Concentrated - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
C fibers are implicated in the transmission of pain described as dull, diffuse, prolonged, and delayed.
Alpha fibers conduct the rapid acute pain sensation described as prickling, sharp, and fast. These fibers
are activated by mechanical and thermal stimuli and are carried by the neospinothalamic tract.
Which assessment findings might indicate respiratory depression after opioid administration?
a.
Flushed, diaphoretic skin
b.
Shallow respirations with a rate of 24 breaths/min
,c.
Tense, rigid posture
d.
Snoring - CORRECT ANSWERS Answer: D. Snoring is a warning sign. It can be a sign of
respiratory depression associated with airway obstruction by the tongue, leading to hypoxemia and
possibly to cardiorespiratory arrest. A patient snoring after the administration of an opioid requires the
critical care nurse to observe closely.
The patient is admitted to the critical care unit with hemodynamic instability and an allergy to
morphine. The nurse anticipates that the practitioner will order which medication for severe pain?
a.
Hydromorphone
b.
Codeine
c.
Fentanyl
d.
Methadone - CORRECT ANSWERS Answer: C. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid preferred for
critically ill patients with hemodynamic instability or morphine allergy. Hydromorphone is a
semisynthetic opioid that has an onset of action and a duration similar to those of morphine. It is more
potent than morphine. Hydromorphone produces an inactive metabolite (ie, hydromorphone-3-
glucuronide), making it the opioid of choice for use in patients with end-stage renal disease. Codeine has
limited use in the management of severe pain. It is rarely used in critical care units. It provides analgesia
for mild to moderate pain. It is usually compounded with a nonopioid. Methadone is a synthetic opioid
with morphine-like properties but less sedation. It is longer acting than morphine and has a long half-
life. This makes it difficult to titrate in the critical care patient
Which combinations of drugs has been found to be effective in managing the pain associated with
musculoskeletal and soft tissue inflammation?
a.
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids
, b.
NSAIDs and antidepressants
c.
Opioid agonists and opioid antagonists
d.
Adjuvants and partial agonists - CORRECT ANSWERS ANS: A
The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in combination with opioids is indicated in
patients with acute musculoskeletal and soft tissue inflammation.
A patient underwent a thoracotomy 12 hours ago and has continuous epidural analgesia with morphine.
In addition to respiratory depression, the patient should be monitored for which complications?
a.
Urinary retention, undue somnolence, itching, nausea, and vomiting
b.
Urinary incontinence, photophobia, headache, and skin rash
c.
Apprehension, anxiety, restlessness, sadness, anger, and myoclonus
d.
Gastric bleeding, nasal discharge, cerebrospinal fluid leak, and calf pain - CORRECT ANSWERS
ANS: A
Epidural analgesia is commonly used in critical care units after major abdominal surgery, nephrectomy,
thoracotomy, and major orthopedic procedures. Monitor for adverse reactions, including respiratory
depression, urinary retention, undue somnolence, itching, seizures, nausea, and vomiting.
A patient underwent a thoracotomy 12 hours ago and has continuous epidural analgesia with morphine.
In addition to closely monitoring the patient for side effects and complications, which intervention might
enhance the patient's pain control?
a.
