Chapter 44 Pain Management Fundamentals of Nursing 11th Edition (Potter & Perry) 50 NCLEX-Style Exam Questions with Detailed Rationale

1. A patient reports severe, stabbing pain following abdominal surgery. How should the nurse classify this type of pain? A. Chronic B. Neuropathic C. Nociceptive D. Referred Correct Answer: C Rationale: Post-surgical pain is typically acute and nociceptive, resulting from tissue injury and inflammation. ________________________________________ 2. Which principle is most important when assessing a patient’s pain? A. Vital signs are the most reliable indicator of pain. B. The nurse’s observation determines the severity. C. Pain is whatever the patient says it is. D. Pain must be confirmed by a provider. Correct Answer: C Rationale: Pain is subjective. The gold standard of pain assessment is the patient’s self-report. ________________________________________ 3. A patient with chronic cancer pain is hesitant to take opioids due to fear of addiction. What is the nurse’s best response? A. “Let’s try nonpharmacologic methods only.” B. “Addiction is rare when opioids are used appropriately for pain.” C. “You should avoid opioids at all costs.” D. “Once you start, it’s hard to stop taking them.” Correct Answer: B Rationale: When used for legitimate pain control, the risk of addiction is low. Patient education is essential. ________________________________________ 4. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate for a patient receiving opioid therapy? A. Encourage high-protein intake B. Monitor for signs of respiratory depression C. Offer deep-breathing exercises hourly D. Avoid giving fluids at night Correct Answer: B Rationale: Opioids can depress respiratory function. Monitoring for bradypnea and sedation is a safety priority. ________________________________________ 5. A patient asks why their pain medication was given even though they were sleeping. What is the best explanation? A. “You need to wake up and ask for it.” B. “We want to avoid breakthrough pain.” C. “Sleeping means your pain is gone.” D. “You’ll get addicted if we wait too long.” Correct Answer: B Rationale: Administering analgesics on a schedule prevents peaks and troughs in pain levels, avoiding breakthrough pain. ________________________________________ 6. What is the best approach to assess pain in a patient with expressive aphasia after a stroke? A. Ask the patient to nod if in pain B. Use a numerical rating scale C. Use a faces pain scale D. Observe vital signs only Correct Answer: C Rationale: Visual pain scales, like the Faces Pain Scale, are effective for patients with limited verbal communication. ________________________________________ 7. Which pain description best suggests neuropathic pain? A. Dull, aching pain B. Sharp pain with movement C. Burning, shooting sensation D. Constant throbbing pain Correct Answer: C Rationale: Neuropathic pain often presents as burning, tingling, or shooting, caused by nerve damage. ________________________________________ 8. A nurse notices a post-op patient grimacing but denying pain. What should the nurse do next? A. Document the patient has no pain B. Administer a placebo C. Further assess using other indicators D. Ignore nonverbal signs Correct Answer: C Rationale: Nonverbal signs may indicate unreported pain. The nurse should explore further with open-ended questions and assessment tools. ________________________________________ 9. A patient with arthritis describes pain as “constant, dull, and aching.” What type of pain is this? A. Neuropathic B. Visceral C. Chronic nociceptive D. Acute somatic Correct Answer: C Rationale: Chronic nociceptive pain, such as in arthritis, is long-lasting and often described as dull and aching.