C HAPTER 19: D RUGS U SED FOR P AIN
M ANAGEMENT
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which way is best for the nurse to evaluate the effecti veness of the
patient’s opiate agonist?
a. Abilit y of the patient to tolerate more activit y
b. Increased sleep time throughout the night
c. Reduction of respiratory rate from 24 to 18 breaths/min
d. Verbal report of 2 on a 1 to 10 scale
ANS: D
A verbal report i s the best indicator because pain is individuall y perceived
and using a pain rating scale is a consistent manner of assessment. Toleration
of activit y and an increased sleep pattern are not the most accurate methods
of pain evaluation. Reduction of respira tory rate is not an appropriate
measurement of pain control.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 304 OBJ: 1
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment CON: Clinical Judgment |
Pain
2. Which medication would the nurse administer to a patient who is rating the
pain at 8 on a 0 to 10 scale?
a. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
, b. Morphine (Roxanol)
c. Oxycodone (OxyContin)
d. Oxycodone and aspirin (Percodan)
ANS: B
Severe pain is treated with an opiate agonist (i .e., morphine). Severe pain is
not treated with acetaminophen, ox ycodone, or Percodan.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 310 | p. 311 | p. 312
OBJ: 2 NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological
Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
CON: Clinical Judgment | Pain
3. Which situation indicates the need to withhold an opiate agonist?
a. Evidence of postural hypotension
b. Presence of constipation
c. Pain rating of 7 on a 0 to 10 scale
d. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
ANS: D
The nurse would withhold the medication if respirations are less than 12
breaths/min. Postural hypotension is a common adverse effect that most
frequentl y occurs when therapy is initiated. Providing for patient safet y is
important, but it does not warrant withholding the medication. Constipation
is an expected adverse effect and does not warrant withholding an opiate
agonist. A pain rating of 7 would not warrant holding an opiate agonist.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 315 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
M ANAGEMENT
Willihnganz: Clayton’s Basic Pharmacology for Nurses, 19th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which way is best for the nurse to evaluate the effecti veness of the
patient’s opiate agonist?
a. Abilit y of the patient to tolerate more activit y
b. Increased sleep time throughout the night
c. Reduction of respiratory rate from 24 to 18 breaths/min
d. Verbal report of 2 on a 1 to 10 scale
ANS: D
A verbal report i s the best indicator because pain is individuall y perceived
and using a pain rating scale is a consistent manner of assessment. Toleration
of activit y and an increased sleep pattern are not the most accurate methods
of pain evaluation. Reduction of respira tory rate is not an appropriate
measurement of pain control.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension REF: p. 304 OBJ: 1
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Assessment CON: Clinical Judgment |
Pain
2. Which medication would the nurse administer to a patient who is rating the
pain at 8 on a 0 to 10 scale?
a. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
, b. Morphine (Roxanol)
c. Oxycodone (OxyContin)
d. Oxycodone and aspirin (Percodan)
ANS: B
Severe pain is treated with an opiate agonist (i .e., morphine). Severe pain is
not treated with acetaminophen, ox ycodone, or Percodan.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 310 | p. 311 | p. 312
OBJ: 2 NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological
Integrit y
TOP: Nursing Process Step: Implementation
CON: Clinical Judgment | Pain
3. Which situation indicates the need to withhold an opiate agonist?
a. Evidence of postural hypotension
b. Presence of constipation
c. Pain rating of 7 on a 0 to 10 scale
d. Respiratory rate of 10 breaths/min
ANS: D
The nurse would withhold the medication if respirations are less than 12
breaths/min. Postural hypotension is a common adverse effect that most
frequentl y occurs when therapy is initiated. Providing for patient safet y is
important, but it does not warrant withholding the medication. Constipation
is an expected adverse effect and does not warrant withholding an opiate
agonist. A pain rating of 7 would not warrant holding an opiate agonist.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application REF: p. 315 OBJ: 3
NAT: NCLEX Client Needs Category: Physiological Integrit y
