Nurs 252 Exam 3 Questions with
Correct Answers.
Pain in older adults can lead to: - Answer sleep disturbance, hopelessness, loss of control,
and impaired social interactions.
Osteoarthritis - Answer most common disorder associated with pain in older adults.
Other common types of pain include - Answer headaches, cancer, low back pain, neuropathic
pain
Neuropathic pain - Answer significant bc difficult to treat(cant use pain meds). phantom pain,
diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia-from shingles, trigeminal neuralgia.
acute pain - Answer less than 6 months. results from injury to tissues-surgery. temporary.
responds to analgesics-dont keep on them for too long. as heal>pain decreases. accompanied
by fear and anxiety
chronic pain - Answer persistent. harder to assess. any pain lasting longer than 6 months.
cause can be known or unknown. S&S may be absent-still believe patient. may be disabled by
pain.
Nociceptive pain - Answer chronic pain type. pain receptors. somatic& visceral.
Somatic nociceptive pain - Answer localized pain. skeletal, CT
Visceral nociceptive pain - Answer organs, non-localized, more painful. stabbing, burning,
hurts all over-cancer, referred pain(different spot)
Neuropathic pain - Answer nerve damage. amp, shingles, neuropathy(diabetes), cyclic anti-
depressants, anti-convulsive.
patient's description and self-report - Answer most accurate evidence of pain
Characteristics of pain assessed: - Answer intensity. quality-burning, stabbing. onset.
duration. patient's manner of expressing pain-facial. aggravating factors. factors/conditions that
relieve or minimize pain-tylenol, rest
, Pain rating scales - Answer visual analog scale-facial expression. word descriptor scale-mild,
severe, moderate. Numerical scale. always use same skill through patient treatment
Older adults unable to use pain scales: - Answer vocalizations-screaming. disruptive
behaviors-combative
Assessing pain in cognitively impaired - Answer decreased ability to report pain-but still
there. Nonverbal behaviors-agitation, combative, crying, grimace. adjust pain rating tools.
analgesics to assess-give tylenol to see if behaviors change. reports from caregivers
adverse consequences with pain in older adults - Answer decreased quality of life,
depression, decreased socialization, sleep disturbance, impaired ambulation, suicidal ideation,
decreased appetite& food intake, increased health care costs
Strategies for treating pain in older adults - Answer assess for chronic pain. persistent or
recurrent pain should be investigated (constipation). maintain pain log(OLDCARTS). reassess
regularly.
Pharmacological nursing interventions - Answer nonopioid analgesics(non-narcotic),
opioids(narcotic), adjuvant drugs(in addition to meds)
Acetaminophen - Answer tylenol. Non-opioid. most common nonopioid used. not helpful for
inflammatory pain. Major side effect: hepatotoxicity-liver damage. daily doses should be less
than 4000 mg-overdose can kill
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - Answer ibuprofen, advil. common side
effect: GI bleeding-vomiting blood or in stool. used for inflammation. 200-400 mgs 4x/day
Instructions for NSAIDs - Answer give adequate trial to decide if effective. never take more
than one type at a time. routine stool tests for occult blood, renal, and hepatic function tests.
do not take with steriods(prednazone or aspirin). take with meals or milk, inform physician of
adverse effects
Opioid analgesics - Answer acute&chronic pain. moderate to severe pain. careful doses(start
slow, go slow). frequent assessment, make adjustments to optimize pain relief. morphine,
oxycodone, hydromorpone, codeine, tylox. bowel regime to avoid constipation. gastric distress,
sedation, nausea.
Opioid addiction - Answer psychologic dependence, craving opioid, need to use for effects
other than pain relief.
Correct Answers.
Pain in older adults can lead to: - Answer sleep disturbance, hopelessness, loss of control,
and impaired social interactions.
Osteoarthritis - Answer most common disorder associated with pain in older adults.
Other common types of pain include - Answer headaches, cancer, low back pain, neuropathic
pain
Neuropathic pain - Answer significant bc difficult to treat(cant use pain meds). phantom pain,
diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia-from shingles, trigeminal neuralgia.
acute pain - Answer less than 6 months. results from injury to tissues-surgery. temporary.
responds to analgesics-dont keep on them for too long. as heal>pain decreases. accompanied
by fear and anxiety
chronic pain - Answer persistent. harder to assess. any pain lasting longer than 6 months.
cause can be known or unknown. S&S may be absent-still believe patient. may be disabled by
pain.
Nociceptive pain - Answer chronic pain type. pain receptors. somatic& visceral.
Somatic nociceptive pain - Answer localized pain. skeletal, CT
Visceral nociceptive pain - Answer organs, non-localized, more painful. stabbing, burning,
hurts all over-cancer, referred pain(different spot)
Neuropathic pain - Answer nerve damage. amp, shingles, neuropathy(diabetes), cyclic anti-
depressants, anti-convulsive.
patient's description and self-report - Answer most accurate evidence of pain
Characteristics of pain assessed: - Answer intensity. quality-burning, stabbing. onset.
duration. patient's manner of expressing pain-facial. aggravating factors. factors/conditions that
relieve or minimize pain-tylenol, rest
, Pain rating scales - Answer visual analog scale-facial expression. word descriptor scale-mild,
severe, moderate. Numerical scale. always use same skill through patient treatment
Older adults unable to use pain scales: - Answer vocalizations-screaming. disruptive
behaviors-combative
Assessing pain in cognitively impaired - Answer decreased ability to report pain-but still
there. Nonverbal behaviors-agitation, combative, crying, grimace. adjust pain rating tools.
analgesics to assess-give tylenol to see if behaviors change. reports from caregivers
adverse consequences with pain in older adults - Answer decreased quality of life,
depression, decreased socialization, sleep disturbance, impaired ambulation, suicidal ideation,
decreased appetite& food intake, increased health care costs
Strategies for treating pain in older adults - Answer assess for chronic pain. persistent or
recurrent pain should be investigated (constipation). maintain pain log(OLDCARTS). reassess
regularly.
Pharmacological nursing interventions - Answer nonopioid analgesics(non-narcotic),
opioids(narcotic), adjuvant drugs(in addition to meds)
Acetaminophen - Answer tylenol. Non-opioid. most common nonopioid used. not helpful for
inflammatory pain. Major side effect: hepatotoxicity-liver damage. daily doses should be less
than 4000 mg-overdose can kill
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - Answer ibuprofen, advil. common side
effect: GI bleeding-vomiting blood or in stool. used for inflammation. 200-400 mgs 4x/day
Instructions for NSAIDs - Answer give adequate trial to decide if effective. never take more
than one type at a time. routine stool tests for occult blood, renal, and hepatic function tests.
do not take with steriods(prednazone or aspirin). take with meals or milk, inform physician of
adverse effects
Opioid analgesics - Answer acute&chronic pain. moderate to severe pain. careful doses(start
slow, go slow). frequent assessment, make adjustments to optimize pain relief. morphine,
oxycodone, hydromorpone, codeine, tylox. bowel regime to avoid constipation. gastric distress,
sedation, nausea.
Opioid addiction - Answer psychologic dependence, craving opioid, need to use for effects
other than pain relief.
