©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/14/2024 11:14 PM
Lewis Med Surg Ch. 9 – Pain Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
A 45-year-old woman who had abdominal surgery yesterday received IV pain medication 30
minutes ago. Which assessment by the nurse would most accurately determine the effectiveness
of the medication?
A. The patient is resting quietly with eyes closed and is not grimacing.
B. The patient is talking with visitors and intermittently watching the television.
C. The patient states the pain has decreased from an 8 to a 3 on a 0 to 10 pain scale.
D. The patient's heart rate is 78 beats/minute with a blood pressure of 122/76 mm Hg. -
answer✔C. The patient states the pain has decreased from an 8 to a 3 on a 0 to 10 pain scale.
Pain is a subjective experience. The patient is the best judge of his or her own pain and is the
expert on the effectiveness of treatment of the pain.
, ©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/14/2024 11:14 PM
Which patient is most at risk for respiratory depression related to opioid administration for pain
relief?
A. 82-year-old patient who had abdominal surgery 4 hours ago
B. 24-year-old patient who had a vaginal delivery 12 hours ago
C. 32-year-old patient with chronic neuropathic pain for 6 months
D. 20-year-old patient with a closed reduction of a fractured right arm - answer✔A. 82-year-old
patient who had abdominal surgery 4 hours ago
Patients most at risk for respiratory depression include those who are older, have underlying lung
disease, have a history of sleep apnea, or are receiving other central nervous system depressants.
For postoperative patients the greatest risk is in the first 24 hours after surgery. Respiratory
depression related to opioid administration is higher in hospitalized patients who are opioid
naïve.
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for patients on a surgical unit. Which tasks may the nurse
delegate to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?
A. Administer oral pain medications to a patient after abdominal surgery.
B. Teach the patient how to use patient-controlled analgesia after surgery.
, ©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/14/2024 11:14 PM
C. Determine strategies for pain management as part of a patient's discharge plan.
D. Evaluate whether the pain management plan is providing adequate pain control. - answer✔A.
Administer oral pain medications to a patient after abdominal surgery.
An LPN/LVN may administer ordered pain medications, but depending on the state nurse
practice act and agency policy, the LPN/LVN may not be able to administer medication by all
routes. The tasks of teaching, evaluation, and discharge planning are within the scope of practice
of an RN.
A 68-year-old man has chronic pain because of lung cancer that has metastasized to the bone in
his back and hip. The nurse is teaching the patient and his family about tolerance and physical
dependence to opioid medications. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "High doses of the medication may cause more side effects than lower doses."
B. "If I need higher doses of the drug to relieve pain, I have developed an addiction."
C. "Physical dependence is expected when this drug is used for long periods of time."
D. "I may eventually need a higher dose of the medication to get the same pain relief." -
answer✔B. "If I need higher doses of the drug to relieve pain, I have developed an addiction."
10/14/2024 11:14 PM
Lewis Med Surg Ch. 9 – Pain Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
A 45-year-old woman who had abdominal surgery yesterday received IV pain medication 30
minutes ago. Which assessment by the nurse would most accurately determine the effectiveness
of the medication?
A. The patient is resting quietly with eyes closed and is not grimacing.
B. The patient is talking with visitors and intermittently watching the television.
C. The patient states the pain has decreased from an 8 to a 3 on a 0 to 10 pain scale.
D. The patient's heart rate is 78 beats/minute with a blood pressure of 122/76 mm Hg. -
answer✔C. The patient states the pain has decreased from an 8 to a 3 on a 0 to 10 pain scale.
Pain is a subjective experience. The patient is the best judge of his or her own pain and is the
expert on the effectiveness of treatment of the pain.
, ©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/14/2024 11:14 PM
Which patient is most at risk for respiratory depression related to opioid administration for pain
relief?
A. 82-year-old patient who had abdominal surgery 4 hours ago
B. 24-year-old patient who had a vaginal delivery 12 hours ago
C. 32-year-old patient with chronic neuropathic pain for 6 months
D. 20-year-old patient with a closed reduction of a fractured right arm - answer✔A. 82-year-old
patient who had abdominal surgery 4 hours ago
Patients most at risk for respiratory depression include those who are older, have underlying lung
disease, have a history of sleep apnea, or are receiving other central nervous system depressants.
For postoperative patients the greatest risk is in the first 24 hours after surgery. Respiratory
depression related to opioid administration is higher in hospitalized patients who are opioid
naïve.
The registered nurse (RN) is caring for patients on a surgical unit. Which tasks may the nurse
delegate to a licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/LVN)?
A. Administer oral pain medications to a patient after abdominal surgery.
B. Teach the patient how to use patient-controlled analgesia after surgery.
, ©SIRJOEL EXAM SOLUTIONS
10/14/2024 11:14 PM
C. Determine strategies for pain management as part of a patient's discharge plan.
D. Evaluate whether the pain management plan is providing adequate pain control. - answer✔A.
Administer oral pain medications to a patient after abdominal surgery.
An LPN/LVN may administer ordered pain medications, but depending on the state nurse
practice act and agency policy, the LPN/LVN may not be able to administer medication by all
routes. The tasks of teaching, evaluation, and discharge planning are within the scope of practice
of an RN.
A 68-year-old man has chronic pain because of lung cancer that has metastasized to the bone in
his back and hip. The nurse is teaching the patient and his family about tolerance and physical
dependence to opioid medications. Which statement, if made by the patient, indicates a need for
further teaching?
A. "High doses of the medication may cause more side effects than lower doses."
B. "If I need higher doses of the drug to relieve pain, I have developed an addiction."
C. "Physical dependence is expected when this drug is used for long periods of time."
D. "I may eventually need a higher dose of the medication to get the same pain relief." -
answer✔B. "If I need higher doses of the drug to relieve pain, I have developed an addiction."
