2023 RN TEST 3 NCLEX QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% CORRECT!!
,1. A postoperative patient asks the nurse about pain management following surgery.
What teaching will the nurse provide?
a. "Avoid asking for pain medication often, as it can be addictive."
b. "It is better to wait until the pain is severe before asking for pain medication."
c. "It's natural to have pain after surgery; it will lessen in intensity in a few days."
d. "You will be more comfortable if you take the medication at regular intervals." -
answer b. The gate control theory states that a limited amount of sensory information
can be processed by the nervous system at any given moment. When too much
information is sent through, certain cells in the spinal column interrupt the signal as if
closing a gate, interfering with pain perception. Nursing measures such as applying
warmth to the lower back stimulate the large nerve fibers to close the gate and block the
pain. The other choices do not involve attempts to stimulate large nerve fibers that
interfere with pain transmission as explained by the gate control theory.
1. The nurse is assessing the pain of a neonate who is admitted to the NICU with a
heart defect. Which pain assessment scale would be the best tool to use with this
patient?
a. CRIES
b. COMFORT
c. FLACC
d. FACES - answer a. The CRIES Pain Scale is a tool intended for use with neonates
and infants from 0 to 6 months. The COMFORT Scale, used to assess pain and distress
in critically ill pediatric patients, relies on six behavioral and two physiologic factors that
determine the level of analgesia needed to adequately relieve pain in these children.
The FLACC Scale (F—Faces, L—Legs, A—Activity, C—Cry, C—Consolability) was
designed for infants and children from age 2 months to 7 years who are unable to
validate the presence or severity of pain. The FACES Scale is used for children who
can compare their pain to the faces depicted on the scale.
1. When the nurse assists a patient recovering from abdominal surgery to walk, the
nurse observes that the patient grimaces, moves stiffly, and becomes pale. The nurse
received in shift report that the patient has consistently refused pain medication. To help
promote comfort, which additional data will the nurse gather? Select all that apply.
a. Patient's understanding of or fear of taking prescribed analgesics
b. Assessment of any current pain
c. Presence of anxiety or additional stressors
d. Assessment of the surgical incision for infection
e. What the patient has eaten to this point
Whether the patient is using the incentive spirometer - answer a, b, c, d. While it seems
the patient's immediate problem is unrelieved pain because the patient refuses to take
, pain medication, through further assessment, the nurse can plan to address fears of
medication, teach about use of the pump, determine if anxiety is interfering with pain, or
an infection is causing increased pain. While decreased oral intake may be a response
to pain, the patient's dietary intake will not uncover the underlying reason for refusing
medications. Use of the incentive spirometer is not included in pain assessment; rather,
it is an intervention to prevent atelectasis.
1. When developing the care plan for a patient with chronic pain, the nurse plans
interventions based on the knowledge that chronic pain not related to cancer or
palliative/end-of-life care is most effectively relieved through which method?
a. Providing the highest effective dose of an opioid on a PRN (as needed) basis
b. Using nonopioid drugs conservatively
c. Applying multimodal nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies
d. Administering a continuous intravenous infusion on a regular basis - answer c.
Nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies (multimodal) are the
preferred choices for chronic pain that is unrelated to active cancer, palliative care, or
end-of-life care. If progression to opioids becomes necessary, the lowest effective dose
of an immediate-release opioid should be initiated first. Ongoing assessment and
careful monitoring should guide the prescription of opioids for the management of
chronic pain (Dowell et al., 2016). A PRN (as needed) drug regimen has not been
proven effective for people experiencing chronic or acute pain. When caring for a
patient with acute pain, such as postoperative pain, medication should be offered or
requested before pain becomes severe or unbearable. Once pain is adequately treated,
such as later in the postoperative course, a PRN schedule may be effective.
1. When assessing pain in a child, the nurse needs to be aware of what considerations?
a. Immature neurologic development results in reduced pain sensation
b. Inadequate or inconsistent relief of pain is widespread
c. Reliable assessment tools are currently unavailable
d. Narcotic analgesic use should be avoided - answer b. Health care personnel are
placing awareness of pain relief in children as a priority. The evidence supports the fact
that children do indeed feel pain, and reliable assessment tools are available specifically
for use with children. Opioid analgesics may be safely used with children as long as
they are carefully monitored.
1. A pregnant woman has received an epidural analgesic prior to delivery. Assessment
for which outcome to the medication will the nurse prioritize?
a. Pruritus
b. Urinary retention
c. Vomiting
ANSWERS 100% CORRECT!!
,1. A postoperative patient asks the nurse about pain management following surgery.
What teaching will the nurse provide?
a. "Avoid asking for pain medication often, as it can be addictive."
b. "It is better to wait until the pain is severe before asking for pain medication."
c. "It's natural to have pain after surgery; it will lessen in intensity in a few days."
d. "You will be more comfortable if you take the medication at regular intervals." -
answer b. The gate control theory states that a limited amount of sensory information
can be processed by the nervous system at any given moment. When too much
information is sent through, certain cells in the spinal column interrupt the signal as if
closing a gate, interfering with pain perception. Nursing measures such as applying
warmth to the lower back stimulate the large nerve fibers to close the gate and block the
pain. The other choices do not involve attempts to stimulate large nerve fibers that
interfere with pain transmission as explained by the gate control theory.
1. The nurse is assessing the pain of a neonate who is admitted to the NICU with a
heart defect. Which pain assessment scale would be the best tool to use with this
patient?
a. CRIES
b. COMFORT
c. FLACC
d. FACES - answer a. The CRIES Pain Scale is a tool intended for use with neonates
and infants from 0 to 6 months. The COMFORT Scale, used to assess pain and distress
in critically ill pediatric patients, relies on six behavioral and two physiologic factors that
determine the level of analgesia needed to adequately relieve pain in these children.
The FLACC Scale (F—Faces, L—Legs, A—Activity, C—Cry, C—Consolability) was
designed for infants and children from age 2 months to 7 years who are unable to
validate the presence or severity of pain. The FACES Scale is used for children who
can compare their pain to the faces depicted on the scale.
1. When the nurse assists a patient recovering from abdominal surgery to walk, the
nurse observes that the patient grimaces, moves stiffly, and becomes pale. The nurse
received in shift report that the patient has consistently refused pain medication. To help
promote comfort, which additional data will the nurse gather? Select all that apply.
a. Patient's understanding of or fear of taking prescribed analgesics
b. Assessment of any current pain
c. Presence of anxiety or additional stressors
d. Assessment of the surgical incision for infection
e. What the patient has eaten to this point
Whether the patient is using the incentive spirometer - answer a, b, c, d. While it seems
the patient's immediate problem is unrelieved pain because the patient refuses to take
, pain medication, through further assessment, the nurse can plan to address fears of
medication, teach about use of the pump, determine if anxiety is interfering with pain, or
an infection is causing increased pain. While decreased oral intake may be a response
to pain, the patient's dietary intake will not uncover the underlying reason for refusing
medications. Use of the incentive spirometer is not included in pain assessment; rather,
it is an intervention to prevent atelectasis.
1. When developing the care plan for a patient with chronic pain, the nurse plans
interventions based on the knowledge that chronic pain not related to cancer or
palliative/end-of-life care is most effectively relieved through which method?
a. Providing the highest effective dose of an opioid on a PRN (as needed) basis
b. Using nonopioid drugs conservatively
c. Applying multimodal nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies
d. Administering a continuous intravenous infusion on a regular basis - answer c.
Nonpharmacologic and nonopioid pharmacologic therapies (multimodal) are the
preferred choices for chronic pain that is unrelated to active cancer, palliative care, or
end-of-life care. If progression to opioids becomes necessary, the lowest effective dose
of an immediate-release opioid should be initiated first. Ongoing assessment and
careful monitoring should guide the prescription of opioids for the management of
chronic pain (Dowell et al., 2016). A PRN (as needed) drug regimen has not been
proven effective for people experiencing chronic or acute pain. When caring for a
patient with acute pain, such as postoperative pain, medication should be offered or
requested before pain becomes severe or unbearable. Once pain is adequately treated,
such as later in the postoperative course, a PRN schedule may be effective.
1. When assessing pain in a child, the nurse needs to be aware of what considerations?
a. Immature neurologic development results in reduced pain sensation
b. Inadequate or inconsistent relief of pain is widespread
c. Reliable assessment tools are currently unavailable
d. Narcotic analgesic use should be avoided - answer b. Health care personnel are
placing awareness of pain relief in children as a priority. The evidence supports the fact
that children do indeed feel pain, and reliable assessment tools are available specifically
for use with children. Opioid analgesics may be safely used with children as long as
they are carefully monitored.
1. A pregnant woman has received an epidural analgesic prior to delivery. Assessment
for which outcome to the medication will the nurse prioritize?
a. Pruritus
b. Urinary retention
c. Vomiting
