NR565 WEEK 2 | ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY PRACTICE QUESTIONS & ANSWERS |
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Types of Acute Pain - correct answer ✔✔-Referred Pain
• Pain that is present in an area removed or distant from its point of origin
-Acute Somatic Pain
• Arises from connective tissue, muscle, bone & skin
• Sharp & localized or dull & non-localized
• Responds best to: acetaminophen, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, opiates, local anesthetics, ice,
massage
-Acute visceral pain
• Pain in the internal organs & abdomen
• Poorly localized (C-fibers)
• Radiates
• Most responsive to opiates
• May also use corticosteroids, NSAIDs
*rated by severity
inflammatory response - correct answer ✔✔-inflammation
• redness
• swelling
• heat
• pain
chemokines - correct answer ✔✔small proteins cells release as a signaling mechanism
,-best known for their ability to stimulate the migration of cells, most notably white blood cells
(leukocytes).
mast cells - correct answer ✔✔-release histamine
• goes to endothelial cells that line capillaries, makes capillaries larger (vasodilation), causing
swelling, capillary walls become more porous (things get through more easily)
first responders - correct answer ✔✔phagocytes
neutrophils
diapedesis - correct answer ✔✔the passage of blood cells through the intact walls of the
capillaries, typically accompanying inflammation.
extravasation - correct answer ✔✔escape of fluid from a blood vessel into surrounding tissue
pain is influenced by: - correct answer ✔✔gender, genetics, social, cultural, and personal factors
Acute pain has an occurrence of fewer than __________ - correct answer ✔✔three months
-often precipitated by trauma & acute medical conditions or tx
Treatment goals about pain relief: Considerations - correct answer ✔✔-reducing the intensity of
pain while enhancing physical & psychological functioning
-common goal is to resume the activities of daily life
-Complete elimination of pain is often not realistic if the source of pain continues to exist
• finding the lowest effective dose to achieve tolerable pain levels is paramount
-Non-pharmacological treatments may also be considered to promote comfort
, Appropriate selection of medications includes: - correct answer ✔✔-Patient factors
• age, ethnicity, gender, the presence of hepatic and/or renal impairment, genetic
polymorphisms, and/or coexisting cardiorespiratory or cerebrovascular disease
-Drug factors
• drug metabolism, receptor binding strength, potential for drug-drug interactions, and/or co-
administration with other CNS depressants
commonly used agents for acute pain management - correct answer ✔✔-Opioids
-Acetaminophen
-NSAIDs
-Salicylates
-COX-2 Inhibitors
Opioids - correct answer ✔✔-Drug Indication:
• Moderate to severe pain
-Dosing Considerations:
• Opioid naïve vs chronic pain pt
-Adverse Drug Reactions:
• Sedation, drowsiness, mental clouding; constipation; nausea & decreased appetite; sexual
dysfunction; tolerance/ dependency
• ADRs worse when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines
-Patient Education:
• Clear instructions regarding safety & ADRs
• discuss length of tx; discuss non-opiate therapy
-Monitoring:
• Is pain medication effective? Is the dose being tapered or discontinued? If not reassess cause
of pain.
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Types of Acute Pain - correct answer ✔✔-Referred Pain
• Pain that is present in an area removed or distant from its point of origin
-Acute Somatic Pain
• Arises from connective tissue, muscle, bone & skin
• Sharp & localized or dull & non-localized
• Responds best to: acetaminophen, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, opiates, local anesthetics, ice,
massage
-Acute visceral pain
• Pain in the internal organs & abdomen
• Poorly localized (C-fibers)
• Radiates
• Most responsive to opiates
• May also use corticosteroids, NSAIDs
*rated by severity
inflammatory response - correct answer ✔✔-inflammation
• redness
• swelling
• heat
• pain
chemokines - correct answer ✔✔small proteins cells release as a signaling mechanism
,-best known for their ability to stimulate the migration of cells, most notably white blood cells
(leukocytes).
mast cells - correct answer ✔✔-release histamine
• goes to endothelial cells that line capillaries, makes capillaries larger (vasodilation), causing
swelling, capillary walls become more porous (things get through more easily)
first responders - correct answer ✔✔phagocytes
neutrophils
diapedesis - correct answer ✔✔the passage of blood cells through the intact walls of the
capillaries, typically accompanying inflammation.
extravasation - correct answer ✔✔escape of fluid from a blood vessel into surrounding tissue
pain is influenced by: - correct answer ✔✔gender, genetics, social, cultural, and personal factors
Acute pain has an occurrence of fewer than __________ - correct answer ✔✔three months
-often precipitated by trauma & acute medical conditions or tx
Treatment goals about pain relief: Considerations - correct answer ✔✔-reducing the intensity of
pain while enhancing physical & psychological functioning
-common goal is to resume the activities of daily life
-Complete elimination of pain is often not realistic if the source of pain continues to exist
• finding the lowest effective dose to achieve tolerable pain levels is paramount
-Non-pharmacological treatments may also be considered to promote comfort
, Appropriate selection of medications includes: - correct answer ✔✔-Patient factors
• age, ethnicity, gender, the presence of hepatic and/or renal impairment, genetic
polymorphisms, and/or coexisting cardiorespiratory or cerebrovascular disease
-Drug factors
• drug metabolism, receptor binding strength, potential for drug-drug interactions, and/or co-
administration with other CNS depressants
commonly used agents for acute pain management - correct answer ✔✔-Opioids
-Acetaminophen
-NSAIDs
-Salicylates
-COX-2 Inhibitors
Opioids - correct answer ✔✔-Drug Indication:
• Moderate to severe pain
-Dosing Considerations:
• Opioid naïve vs chronic pain pt
-Adverse Drug Reactions:
• Sedation, drowsiness, mental clouding; constipation; nausea & decreased appetite; sexual
dysfunction; tolerance/ dependency
• ADRs worse when combined with alcohol or benzodiazepines
-Patient Education:
• Clear instructions regarding safety & ADRs
• discuss length of tx; discuss non-opiate therapy
-Monitoring:
• Is pain medication effective? Is the dose being tapered or discontinued? If not reassess cause
of pain.
