Chapter 11: Analgesic Drugs
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient diagnosed with migraine headache is experiencing what type of pain?
a. Acute pain
b. Persistent pain c. Vascular pain d. Phantom pain
ANS: C
Vascular pain is thought to account for a large percentage of migraine headaches. It is believed to
originate from vascular or perivascular tissues. It is characterized by persistent and recurring pain lasting
3 to 6 months. Acute pain is sudden and usually subsides when treated. Phantom pain occurs in the area
of a body part that has been removed—surgically or traumatically—and is often described as burning,
itching, tingling, or stabbing. It can also occur in paralyzed limbs following spinal cord injury.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
2. An 18-year-old basketball player fell and twisted his ankle during a game. Which type of analgesic is he
likely to be given?
a. A synthetic opioid, such as meperidine hydrochloride b. An opium alkaloid, such as morphine
sulphate
c. An opioid antagonist, such as naloxone hydrochloride (Suboxone®)
d. A non-opioid analgesic, such as tramadol
ANS: D
Pain originating from skeletal muscles, ligaments, and joints usually responds to non-opioid analgesics
such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). All drugs in the NSAID class are especially useful
for pain associated with inflammatory conditions because these drugs have analgesic and anti-
inflammatory effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
3. A patient is in the recovery room following abdominal surgery. He is groggy but reports severe pain
around his incision. What is the most important factor for the nurse to consider during her patient
assessment before administering a dose of morphine sulphate? a. Temperature
b. Respiration rate
c. Appearance of the incision
, d. Time of last bowel movement
ANS: B
One of the most serious side effects of opioids is respiratory depression, so respiration must be assessed
prior to administering a dose of morphine.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
4. A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after lengthy hip surgery. While gradually awakening, the
patient requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulphate, the
patient is very lethargic; respiration is shallow, at a rate of nine respirations per minute. What necessary
action may the nurse need to perform?
a. Close observation for signs of opioid tolerance b. Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation
c. Administration of naloxone, an opioid reversal agent
d. Administration of an agonist opioid, such as fentanyl (Duragesic Mat)
ANS: C
Naloxone, an opioid reversal agent, is used to reverse the effects of acute opioid overdose and is the drug
of choice for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
5. A patient will be discharged with a 1-week supply of an opioid analgesic for pain management after his
abdominal surgery. What should the nurse teach this patient in regard to this drug?
a. How to manage diarrhea
b. How to access drug addiction programs c. How to prevent constipation
d. How to avoid dehydration due to polyuria
ANS: C
Gastrointestinal occurrences such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation are the most common adverse
effects associated with opioid analgesics. Physical dependence usually occurs in patients undergoing long-
term treatment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
Sealock: Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A patient diagnosed with migraine headache is experiencing what type of pain?
a. Acute pain
b. Persistent pain c. Vascular pain d. Phantom pain
ANS: C
Vascular pain is thought to account for a large percentage of migraine headaches. It is believed to
originate from vascular or perivascular tissues. It is characterized by persistent and recurring pain lasting
3 to 6 months. Acute pain is sudden and usually subsides when treated. Phantom pain occurs in the area
of a body part that has been removed—surgically or traumatically—and is often described as burning,
itching, tingling, or stabbing. It can also occur in paralyzed limbs following spinal cord injury.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Comprehension
2. An 18-year-old basketball player fell and twisted his ankle during a game. Which type of analgesic is he
likely to be given?
a. A synthetic opioid, such as meperidine hydrochloride b. An opium alkaloid, such as morphine
sulphate
c. An opioid antagonist, such as naloxone hydrochloride (Suboxone®)
d. A non-opioid analgesic, such as tramadol
ANS: D
Pain originating from skeletal muscles, ligaments, and joints usually responds to non-opioid analgesics
such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). All drugs in the NSAID class are especially useful
for pain associated with inflammatory conditions because these drugs have analgesic and anti-
inflammatory effects.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
3. A patient is in the recovery room following abdominal surgery. He is groggy but reports severe pain
around his incision. What is the most important factor for the nurse to consider during her patient
assessment before administering a dose of morphine sulphate? a. Temperature
b. Respiration rate
c. Appearance of the incision
, d. Time of last bowel movement
ANS: B
One of the most serious side effects of opioids is respiratory depression, so respiration must be assessed
prior to administering a dose of morphine.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Analysis
4. A 78-year-old patient is in the recovery room after lengthy hip surgery. While gradually awakening, the
patient requests pain medication. Within 10 minutes after receiving a dose of morphine sulphate, the
patient is very lethargic; respiration is shallow, at a rate of nine respirations per minute. What necessary
action may the nurse need to perform?
a. Close observation for signs of opioid tolerance b. Immediate intubation and artificial ventilation
c. Administration of naloxone, an opioid reversal agent
d. Administration of an agonist opioid, such as fentanyl (Duragesic Mat)
ANS: C
Naloxone, an opioid reversal agent, is used to reverse the effects of acute opioid overdose and is the drug
of choice for reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
5. A patient will be discharged with a 1-week supply of an opioid analgesic for pain management after his
abdominal surgery. What should the nurse teach this patient in regard to this drug?
a. How to manage diarrhea
b. How to access drug addiction programs c. How to prevent constipation
d. How to avoid dehydration due to polyuria
ANS: C
Gastrointestinal occurrences such as nausea, vomiting, and constipation are the most common adverse
effects associated with opioid analgesics. Physical dependence usually occurs in patients undergoing long-
term treatment.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Application
