Actual Exam Questions and Answers
A treatment plan for management of chronic pain should include:
A) Opioids as the primary therapy
B) Non-pharmacologic interventions, multimodal analgesia, and patient education
C) High-dose NSAIDs without monitoring
D) Immediate referral to a pain specialist
Correct Answer: B) Non-pharmacologic interventions, multimodal analgesia, and patient
education
Explanation: Chronic pain management should combine non-pharmacologic approaches (e.g.,
physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy), multimodal analgesia (e.g., NSAIDs, adjuvants
like gabapentin), and patient education on expectations and self-management, per CDC and ACR
guidelines, to optimize outcomes and minimize opioid reliance.
Preventative therapy for cluster headaches includes:
A) Sumatriptan daily
B) Verapamil as first-line prophylaxis
C) Propranolol as first-line prophylaxis
D) Topiramate as first-line prophylaxis
Correct Answer: B) Verapamil as first-line prophylaxis
Explanation: Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, is the first-line prophylactic therapy for
cluster headaches, effectively reducing frequency and severity, per AAN guidelines. Sumatriptan
is used for acute attacks, not prophylaxis.
Monitoring of a patient taking allopurinol to prevent gout includes:
A) Complete blood count, liver, and renal function tests
B) Serum potassium levels only
C) Blood pressure monitoring only
D) No routine monitoring
Correct Answer: A) Complete blood count, liver, and renal function tests
Explanation: Allopurinol can cause rare but serious side effects like agranulocytosis,
hepatotoxicity, and renal impairment. Monitoring CBC, LFTs, and renal function (e.g.,
creatinine, eGFR) is essential, per ACR guidelines.
, Chemical dependency assessment is integral to chronic pain management. A “red flag” for
potential chemical dependency includes:
A) Requesting specific pain medications by name
B) Adhering to prescribed dosing schedules
C) Reporting consistent pain relief
D) Attending physical therapy regularly
Correct Answer: A) Requesting specific pain medications by name
Explanation: Requesting specific medications (e.g., opioids by name) raises concern for
chemical dependency, as it may indicate drug-seeking behavior, per CDC opioid prescribing
guidelines.
Pain assessment to determine adequacy of pain management is done to:
A) Ensure complete pain elimination
B) Optimize function and quality of life
C) Increase opioid doses automatically
D) Reduce all medication use
Correct Answer: B) Optimize function and quality of life
Explanation: Pain assessment evaluates pain intensity, functional impairment, and quality of life
to tailor therapy, balancing pain control with minimizing side effects, per CDC guidelines.
The trial period to determine effective anti-inflammatory activity when starting aspirin for
rheumatoid arthritis is:
A) 1–2 days
B) 1–2 weeks
C) 4–6 weeks
D) 3 months
Correct Answer: B) 1–2 weeks
Explanation: Aspirin’s anti-inflammatory effects for rheumatoid arthritis typically manifest
within 1–2 weeks, allowing assessment of efficacy and tolerability, per ACR guidelines.
Patients on long-term, high-dose steroids will likely need prophylactic treatment with:
A) Bisphosphonates for osteoporosis
B) Proton pump inhibitors for hypertension
C) Beta-blockers for arrhythmias
D) Antibiotics for infections