Pain Management Flashcards
For best results when treating severe pain associated with pathological spinal fractures related to metastatic bone cancer, the nurse should remember that the best type of dosage schedule is to administer the pain medication in which way?
a. As needed
b. Around the clock
c. On schedule during waking hours only
d. Around the clock, with additional doses as needed for breakthrough pain
2. A patient is receiving an opioid via a PCA pump as part of his postoperative pain management program. During rounds, the nurse finds him unresponsive, with respirations of 8 breaths/min and blood pressure of 102/58 mm Hg. After stopping the opioid infusion, what should the nurse do next?
a. Notify the charge nurse
b. Draw arterial blood gases
c. Administer an opiate antagonist per standing orders
d. Perform a thorough assessment, including mental status examination
3. A patient with bone pain caused by metastatic cancer will be receiving transdermal fentanyl patches. The patient asks the nurse what benefits these patches have. The nurse’s best response includes which of these features?
a. More constant drug levels for analgesia
b. Less constipation and minimal dry mouth
c. Less drowsiness than with oral opioids
d. Lower dependency potential and no major adverse effects
4. IV morphine is prescribed for a patient who has had surgery. The nurse informs the patient that which common adverse effects can occur with this medication? (Select all that apply.)
a. Diarrhea
b. Constipation
c. Pruritus
d. Urinary frequency
e. Nausea
5. Several patients have standard orders for acetaminophen as needed for pain. When the nurse reviews their histories and assessments, it is discovered that one of the patients has a contraindication to acetaminophen therapy. Which of the following patients should receive an alternate medication?
a. A patient with a fever of 39.7°C
b. A patient admitted with deep vein thrombosis
c. A patient admitted with severe hepatitis
d. A patient who had abdominal surgery 1 week earlier
6. The nurse is administering an IV dose of morphine to a 48-year-old postoperative patient. The dose ordered is 3 mg every 3 hours as needed for pain. The medication is supplied in vials of 4 mg/mL. How much will be drawn into the syringe for this dose?
7. An opioid analgesic is prescribed for a patient. The nurse checks the patient’s medical history knowing this medication is contraindicated in which disorder?
a. Renal insufficiency
b. Severe asthma
c. Liver disease
d. Diabetes mellitus
Answers:
- d, 2. c, 3. a, 4. b, c, e 5. c, 6. 0.75 mL, 7. b
D
