NUR 257 Chronic Exam 4 |
Questions and Answers | 2026
Update | 100% Correct.
Q1: Which of the following are common misconceptions about pain
in older adults? (Select all that apply)
A) Chronic pain patients have a higher tolerance to pain
B) Clients with chronic pain are manipulative or exaggerative
C) Depression and/or stress cause pain
D) Older adults feel pain less intensely than younger adults
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: A, B, C
Rationale: Common misconceptions include believing chronic pain
patients have higher pain tolerance, that they are manipulative or
exaggerating, and that psychological factors alone cause pain. In reality,
pain is a real physiological experience requiring proper assessment and
treatment regardless of age .
Q2: What gerontologic consideration should the nurse keep in mind
when administering analgesics to an older adult?
A) Elderly clients have enhanced liver and kidney function
B) Older adults have a lower incidence of chronic illness
C) Elderly clients have alterations in ability to absorb and metabolize
,medications due to decreased liver, renal, and GI functions
D) Older adults are less susceptible to medication side effects
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Age-related changes include decreased liver metabolism,
reduced renal excretion, and slower GI absorption, making older adults
more vulnerable to medication toxicity and side effects. They also have
higher susceptibility to respiratory and nervous system depression from
opioids .
Q3: What is "sensitization" in the context of pain management?
A) When a patient becomes allergic to pain medication
B) Occurs when a patient waits too long to report pain, resulting in pain
that is difficult to relieve
C) When pain medication becomes more effective over time
D) A psychological response to chronic illness
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Sensitization results from a heightened nervous system
response after exposure to a noxious stimulus. When patients delay
reporting pain, the pain becomes so intense that it is difficult to relieve.
Early assessment and treatment diminish or avoid sensitization,
requiring less medication overall .
Q4: Which side effect of opioid analgesics is the most serious?
,A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Constipation
C) Pruritus (itching)
D) Respiratory depression
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: D
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most serious opioid side effect.
Notable changes include shallow respirations and decreased respiratory
rate. Constipation, N/V, and pruritus are common but less immediately
life-threatening. Constipation requires prophylactic management with
laxatives and stool softeners .
Q5: A patient with a long history of arthritis pain has a pulse of 115
and BP of 170/80. What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer analgesics
B) Assess for pain
C) Notify the provider
D) Apply oxygen
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Acute pain triggers sympathetic nervous system activation
(tachycardia, hypertension). Assessment determines if vital sign
abnormalities are pain-related or indicate cardiovascular compromise.
Treating pain may normalize vital signs without additional interventions .
, Q6: Which adverse effect is associated with chronic corticosteroid
therapy?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Osteoporosis
C) Hypotension
D) Bradycardia
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Chronic corticosteroid therapy requires annual bone mineral
density monitoring (not biennial) due to rapid bone loss. Prophylactic
calcium, vitamin D, and possibly bisphosphonates are indicated with
glucocorticoid doses ≥5 mg/day for >3 months .
Q7: A patient after a left hip replacement requires pain management.
What is the safest approach?
A) Give maximum opioids immediately
B) Avoid opioids completely
C) Administer opioids at the lowest dose and titrate slowly
D) Alternate acetaminophen with ibuprofen only
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Post-operative pain control in older adults requires balancing
analgesia with sedation and fall risk. The "start low, go slow" principle
minimizes respiratory depression and delirium while providing sufficient
comfort for mobilization and rehabilitation .
Questions and Answers | 2026
Update | 100% Correct.
Q1: Which of the following are common misconceptions about pain
in older adults? (Select all that apply)
A) Chronic pain patients have a higher tolerance to pain
B) Clients with chronic pain are manipulative or exaggerative
C) Depression and/or stress cause pain
D) Older adults feel pain less intensely than younger adults
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: A, B, C
Rationale: Common misconceptions include believing chronic pain
patients have higher pain tolerance, that they are manipulative or
exaggerating, and that psychological factors alone cause pain. In reality,
pain is a real physiological experience requiring proper assessment and
treatment regardless of age .
Q2: What gerontologic consideration should the nurse keep in mind
when administering analgesics to an older adult?
A) Elderly clients have enhanced liver and kidney function
B) Older adults have a lower incidence of chronic illness
C) Elderly clients have alterations in ability to absorb and metabolize
,medications due to decreased liver, renal, and GI functions
D) Older adults are less susceptible to medication side effects
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Age-related changes include decreased liver metabolism,
reduced renal excretion, and slower GI absorption, making older adults
more vulnerable to medication toxicity and side effects. They also have
higher susceptibility to respiratory and nervous system depression from
opioids .
Q3: What is "sensitization" in the context of pain management?
A) When a patient becomes allergic to pain medication
B) Occurs when a patient waits too long to report pain, resulting in pain
that is difficult to relieve
C) When pain medication becomes more effective over time
D) A psychological response to chronic illness
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Sensitization results from a heightened nervous system
response after exposure to a noxious stimulus. When patients delay
reporting pain, the pain becomes so intense that it is difficult to relieve.
Early assessment and treatment diminish or avoid sensitization,
requiring less medication overall .
Q4: Which side effect of opioid analgesics is the most serious?
,A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Constipation
C) Pruritus (itching)
D) Respiratory depression
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: D
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most serious opioid side effect.
Notable changes include shallow respirations and decreased respiratory
rate. Constipation, N/V, and pruritus are common but less immediately
life-threatening. Constipation requires prophylactic management with
laxatives and stool softeners .
Q5: A patient with a long history of arthritis pain has a pulse of 115
and BP of 170/80. What should the nurse do first?
A) Administer analgesics
B) Assess for pain
C) Notify the provider
D) Apply oxygen
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Acute pain triggers sympathetic nervous system activation
(tachycardia, hypertension). Assessment determines if vital sign
abnormalities are pain-related or indicate cardiovascular compromise.
Treating pain may normalize vital signs without additional interventions .
, Q6: Which adverse effect is associated with chronic corticosteroid
therapy?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Osteoporosis
C) Hypotension
D) Bradycardia
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: B
Rationale: Chronic corticosteroid therapy requires annual bone mineral
density monitoring (not biennial) due to rapid bone loss. Prophylactic
calcium, vitamin D, and possibly bisphosphonates are indicated with
glucocorticoid doses ≥5 mg/day for >3 months .
Q7: A patient after a left hip replacement requires pain management.
What is the safest approach?
A) Give maximum opioids immediately
B) Avoid opioids completely
C) Administer opioids at the lowest dose and titrate slowly
D) Alternate acetaminophen with ibuprofen only
Correct ,,,,answer,,,: C
Rationale: Post-operative pain control in older adults requires balancing
analgesia with sedation and fall risk. The "start low, go slow" principle
minimizes respiratory depression and delirium while providing sufficient
comfort for mobilization and rehabilitation .
