546 Exam 1 Practice Exam Questions
and Complete Solutions Graded A+
Which of the following is NOT a likely sign of pain in a patient who cannot verbally communicate with
you?
a.Eyes clenched shut when turning the patient
b.Decreased respiratory rate
c.Patient resists bending of her elbow when you try to contract her arm
d.Heart rate of 120 in a 54 year old male - Answer: B. a decreased respiratory rate is not commonly
associated with pain. This could actually be due to too much opioid analgesia depressing the patient's
respiratory system
You are assessing your intubated, post-operative patient and note the following findings:
•Grimacing
•Restlessness
•Ventilator asynchrony
• Tense muscles resistant to passive motion.
What would you assess his pain as utilizing the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)?
A.5
B.6
C.7
D.8 - Answer: C: score of 7
2 for facial expressions
2 for body movements
2 for ventilator compliance
1 for muscle tension
You walk into your intubated patient's room with an IV fentanyl drip at 25mcg/hour who presents with
the following:
, Heart rate: 130
BP: 140/90
RR: 29
Which of the following should the nurse do first?
1.Ask the patient to rank her pain on a scale of 0-10
2.Increase the fentanyl drip rate per protocol
3.Call the physician for additional pain medication orders
4.Get a music therapy consult
5.Look at the patient's facial expression and muscle tension - Answer: Correct answer: 5 (assess first)
You walk into your intubated patient's room with an IV fentanyl drip at 25mcg/hour who presents with
the following:
Heart rate: 130
BP: 140/90
RR: 29, ventilator alarming
Hands clenched, brow narrowed, patient eyes open and looking at you anxiously.
Which of the following should the nurse do first?
1.Ask the patient "Are you in pain?"
2.Stop the fentanyl drip and request orders for a new analgesic
3.Increase the fentanyl drip rate per protocol
4.Tell the patient to calm down
5.Get a music therapy consult - Answer: 1- assess first
Which of the following is true about sedating patients in the ICU?
1.Patients in the ICU must be sedated
2.Most patients who are intubated are sedated
and Complete Solutions Graded A+
Which of the following is NOT a likely sign of pain in a patient who cannot verbally communicate with
you?
a.Eyes clenched shut when turning the patient
b.Decreased respiratory rate
c.Patient resists bending of her elbow when you try to contract her arm
d.Heart rate of 120 in a 54 year old male - Answer: B. a decreased respiratory rate is not commonly
associated with pain. This could actually be due to too much opioid analgesia depressing the patient's
respiratory system
You are assessing your intubated, post-operative patient and note the following findings:
•Grimacing
•Restlessness
•Ventilator asynchrony
• Tense muscles resistant to passive motion.
What would you assess his pain as utilizing the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT)?
A.5
B.6
C.7
D.8 - Answer: C: score of 7
2 for facial expressions
2 for body movements
2 for ventilator compliance
1 for muscle tension
You walk into your intubated patient's room with an IV fentanyl drip at 25mcg/hour who presents with
the following:
, Heart rate: 130
BP: 140/90
RR: 29
Which of the following should the nurse do first?
1.Ask the patient to rank her pain on a scale of 0-10
2.Increase the fentanyl drip rate per protocol
3.Call the physician for additional pain medication orders
4.Get a music therapy consult
5.Look at the patient's facial expression and muscle tension - Answer: Correct answer: 5 (assess first)
You walk into your intubated patient's room with an IV fentanyl drip at 25mcg/hour who presents with
the following:
Heart rate: 130
BP: 140/90
RR: 29, ventilator alarming
Hands clenched, brow narrowed, patient eyes open and looking at you anxiously.
Which of the following should the nurse do first?
1.Ask the patient "Are you in pain?"
2.Stop the fentanyl drip and request orders for a new analgesic
3.Increase the fentanyl drip rate per protocol
4.Tell the patient to calm down
5.Get a music therapy consult - Answer: 1- assess first
Which of the following is true about sedating patients in the ICU?
1.Patients in the ICU must be sedated
2.Most patients who are intubated are sedated
