1
NURS 3517 Test 2 Exam Preparation | 120
Comprehensive Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Pharmacology, Pain Management,
Anesthetics, Antiepileptics & Antiparkinson Agents |
Graded A+
SECTION 1: PAIN CONCEPTS AND ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–25)
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports pain in the left shoulder following a
laparoscopic procedure. The nurse should recognize this type of pain as which of
the following?
A. Somatic pain
B. Referred pain
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Visceral pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Referred pain occurs in an area away from the organ in which it
originates. Shoulder pain following laparoscopic procedures is a classic example of
referred pain from diaphragmatic irritation. The phrenic nerve (C3-C5) shares
innervation with the shoulder area, causing pain to be perceived in the shoulder
rather than the diaphragm .
2. A client with diabetes mellitus reports burning, tingling, and shooting pain in
both feet. The nurse should recognize this as which type of pain?
A. Acute pain
B. Referred pain
,2
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Somatic pain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Neuropathic pain usually results from damage to peripheral or central
nervous system nerve fibers by disease or injury. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is
a common cause of neuropathic pain, characterized by burning, tingling, and
shooting sensations .
3. A nurse is teaching a client about the gate theory of pain transmission. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "Pain signals travel directly to the brain without any modulation."
B. "Pain impulses can be modified or blocked before reaching the brain."
C. "All pain signals are perceived equally regardless of other stimuli."
D. "The brain has no role in the perception of pain."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The gate theory of pain transmission is the most common and well-
described theory. It uses the analogy of a gate to describe how impulses from
damaged tissues are sensed in the brain. According to this theory, pain impulses
can be modulated or blocked by other sensory inputs before reaching the brain,
which is why techniques like massage, heat, and distraction can reduce pain
perception .
4. A nurse is assessing a client who underwent abdominal surgery 2 days ago.
The client reports constant, aching pain at the surgical site. The nurse should
document this as which type of pain?
A. Neuropathic pain
B. Referred pain
,3
C. Somatic pain
D. Central pain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Somatic pain originates from skin, muscles, bones, and joints. It is
typically described as aching, throbbing, or cramping and is well-localized. Post-
surgical incisional pain is a classic example of somatic pain .
5. A client with a spinal cord injury reports severe burning pain in the lower
extremities. The nurse should recognize this as which type of pain?
A. Somatic pain
B. Visceral pain
C. Central pain
D. Referred pain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Central pain occurs from any disorder that causes central nervous
system damage. Spinal cord injury is a common cause of central pain, which is
often described as burning, aching, or tingling .
6. A nurse is assessing a client's pain using a 0-to-10 numeric pain scale. The
client rates the pain as 8. Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A. Administer the prescribed analgesic
B. Document the pain rating
C. Assess the characteristics and location of the pain
D. Reposition the client for comfort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should first perform a thorough pain assessment, including
the characteristics, location, quality, and duration of pain. This assessment guides
, 4
appropriate interventions. Pain is considered the "fifth vital sign" and should be
assessed comprehensively before intervention .
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving opioid analgesia. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
C. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
D. Pain rating of 3 on a 0-to-10 scale
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate less than 10 breaths per minute indicates respiratory
depression, a life-threatening adverse effect of opioid analgesia. The nurse should
hold the medication, stimulate the client, administer oxygen, and notify the
provider immediately. Naloxone may be required as the antidote .
8. Which of the following is a characteristic of acute pain?
A. Lasts 3 to 6 months or longer
B. Sudden onset and usually subsides once treated
C. Often associated with tolerance
D. More difficult to treat than chronic pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute pain has a sudden onset and usually subsides once the
underlying cause is treated. It serves a protective function. Persistent (chronic)
pain lasts 3 to 6 months or longer, is more difficult to treat, and may be associated
with tolerance .
9. A nurse is teaching a client about nonpharmacological pain management
techniques. Which technique should the nurse include?
NURS 3517 Test 2 Exam Preparation | 120
Comprehensive Questions with Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Pharmacology, Pain Management,
Anesthetics, Antiepileptics & Antiparkinson Agents |
Graded A+
SECTION 1: PAIN CONCEPTS AND ASSESSMENT (Questions 1–25)
1. A nurse is assessing a client who reports pain in the left shoulder following a
laparoscopic procedure. The nurse should recognize this type of pain as which of
the following?
A. Somatic pain
B. Referred pain
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Visceral pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Referred pain occurs in an area away from the organ in which it
originates. Shoulder pain following laparoscopic procedures is a classic example of
referred pain from diaphragmatic irritation. The phrenic nerve (C3-C5) shares
innervation with the shoulder area, causing pain to be perceived in the shoulder
rather than the diaphragm .
2. A client with diabetes mellitus reports burning, tingling, and shooting pain in
both feet. The nurse should recognize this as which type of pain?
A. Acute pain
B. Referred pain
,2
C. Neuropathic pain
D. Somatic pain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Neuropathic pain usually results from damage to peripheral or central
nervous system nerve fibers by disease or injury. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is
a common cause of neuropathic pain, characterized by burning, tingling, and
shooting sensations .
3. A nurse is teaching a client about the gate theory of pain transmission. Which
statement by the client indicates understanding?
A. "Pain signals travel directly to the brain without any modulation."
B. "Pain impulses can be modified or blocked before reaching the brain."
C. "All pain signals are perceived equally regardless of other stimuli."
D. "The brain has no role in the perception of pain."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The gate theory of pain transmission is the most common and well-
described theory. It uses the analogy of a gate to describe how impulses from
damaged tissues are sensed in the brain. According to this theory, pain impulses
can be modulated or blocked by other sensory inputs before reaching the brain,
which is why techniques like massage, heat, and distraction can reduce pain
perception .
4. A nurse is assessing a client who underwent abdominal surgery 2 days ago.
The client reports constant, aching pain at the surgical site. The nurse should
document this as which type of pain?
A. Neuropathic pain
B. Referred pain
,3
C. Somatic pain
D. Central pain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Somatic pain originates from skin, muscles, bones, and joints. It is
typically described as aching, throbbing, or cramping and is well-localized. Post-
surgical incisional pain is a classic example of somatic pain .
5. A client with a spinal cord injury reports severe burning pain in the lower
extremities. The nurse should recognize this as which type of pain?
A. Somatic pain
B. Visceral pain
C. Central pain
D. Referred pain
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Central pain occurs from any disorder that causes central nervous
system damage. Spinal cord injury is a common cause of central pain, which is
often described as burning, aching, or tingling .
6. A nurse is assessing a client's pain using a 0-to-10 numeric pain scale. The
client rates the pain as 8. Which action should the nurse take FIRST?
A. Administer the prescribed analgesic
B. Document the pain rating
C. Assess the characteristics and location of the pain
D. Reposition the client for comfort
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The nurse should first perform a thorough pain assessment, including
the characteristics, location, quality, and duration of pain. This assessment guides
, 4
appropriate interventions. Pain is considered the "fifth vital sign" and should be
assessed comprehensively before intervention .
7. A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving opioid analgesia. Which
assessment finding requires immediate intervention?
A. Respiratory rate of 8 breaths per minute
B. Blood pressure of 110/70 mm Hg
C. Heart rate of 88 beats per minute
D. Pain rating of 3 on a 0-to-10 scale
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: A respiratory rate less than 10 breaths per minute indicates respiratory
depression, a life-threatening adverse effect of opioid analgesia. The nurse should
hold the medication, stimulate the client, administer oxygen, and notify the
provider immediately. Naloxone may be required as the antidote .
8. Which of the following is a characteristic of acute pain?
A. Lasts 3 to 6 months or longer
B. Sudden onset and usually subsides once treated
C. Often associated with tolerance
D. More difficult to treat than chronic pain
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute pain has a sudden onset and usually subsides once the
underlying cause is treated. It serves a protective function. Persistent (chronic)
pain lasts 3 to 6 months or longer, is more difficult to treat, and may be associated
with tolerance .
9. A nurse is teaching a client about nonpharmacological pain management
techniques. Which technique should the nurse include?
