WGU D439 FOUNDATIONS OF NURSING PAIN MANAGEMENT EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025/2026
Your answers
1 of 45
Term
The nurse is administering pain medication for several patients. Which
patient does the nurse administer medication to first?
a.
The patient who needs to be premedicated before walking
b.
The patient who has a PCA running that needs the syringe replaced
c.
The patient who needs to take a scheduled dose of maintenance pain
medication
,d.
The patient who is experiencing 8/10 pain and has an immediate
order for pain medication
Give this one a go later!
ANS: B
Infants cannot verbally express their pain, but they do express pain with
behavioral cues (facial expressions, crying) and physiological indicators (changes in
vital signs). Infants can tolerate analgesics, but proper dosing and close monitoring
are essential. Infants and older children have the same sensitivity to pain. Pain can
be
assessed even though the neonate cannot verbalize; the nurse can observe
behavioral clues. Nurses use behavioral cues and physiological responses to assess
pain in infants.
ANS: B
Opioid tolerance occurs when a patient needs higher doses of an opioid to control
pain. Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that is given to reverse the effects
of opioid overdose. Taking pain medications regularly around the clock is an
effective way to control pain. The pain medication for this patient is most likely
effectively managing the patient's pain because the patient is not asking for the
medication before it is due. A patient no longer experiencing a side effect
(sedation) of an opioid does not indicate opioid tolerance.
ANS: D
Immediate (STAT) medications need to be given as soon as possible. In
addition, this patient is the priority because of the report of severe pain. The
other patients need pain medication, but their situations are not as high a
priority as that of the patient with the STAT medication order.
ANS: D
NSAIDs like ibuprofen likely work by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins to
inhibit cellular responses to inflammation. Ibuprofen does not depress the central
, nervous system, nor does it enhance coping with pain. Opioids bind with opiate
receptors to modify perceptions of pain.
Don't know?
2 of 45
Term
A nurse is assessing a patient who started to have severe pain 3 days
ago. When the nurse asks the patient to describe the pain, the patient
states, "The pain feels like it is in my stomach. It is a burning pain, and it
spreads out in a circle around the spot where it hurts the most." Which
type of pain does the nurse document the patient is having at this
time?
a.
Superficial pain
b.
Idiopathic pain
c.
Chronic pain
d.
Visceral pain
Give this one a go later!
ANS: D
Immediate (STAT) medications need to be given as soon as possible. In addition, this
patient is the priority because of the report of severe pain. The other patients need
pain medication, but their situations are not as high a priority as that of the patient
with the STAT medication order.
, ANS: A
The major adverse effect of acetaminophen is hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity).
Because both alcohol and acetaminophen are metabolized by the liver, when taken
together, they can cause liver damage. Smoking cigarettes and smoking marijuana
are not healthy behaviors, but their effects on health are not affected by
acetaminophen. Antianxiety medications can be taken with acetaminophen.
ANS: A
A respiratory rate of 10 indicates respiratory depression. A rare adverse effect of
opioids in opioid-naïve patients (patients who have used opioids around the clock
for less than approximately 1 week) is respiratory depression. Naloxone (Narcan)
may be administered. While the other patients are experiencing pain and do need
to be seen, they are not the priority since respirations are not affected.
ANS: D
Visceral pain arises from visceral organs, such as those from the
gastrointestinal tract. Visceral pain is diffuse and radiates in several directions
and can have a burning quality. Superficial pain has a short duration and is
usually a sharp pain arising from the skin. Pain of an unknown cause is called
idiopathic pain. Chronic pain lasts longer than 6 months.
Don't know?
3 of 45
Term
A patient with a 3-day history of a stroke that left her confused and
unable to communicate returns from interventional radiology following
placement of a gastrostomy tube. The patient had been taking
hydrocodone/APAP 5/325 up to four tablets/day before her stroke
for the past year to manage her arthritic pain. The health care
provider's
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS 2025/2026
Your answers
1 of 45
Term
The nurse is administering pain medication for several patients. Which
patient does the nurse administer medication to first?
a.
The patient who needs to be premedicated before walking
b.
The patient who has a PCA running that needs the syringe replaced
c.
The patient who needs to take a scheduled dose of maintenance pain
medication
,d.
The patient who is experiencing 8/10 pain and has an immediate
order for pain medication
Give this one a go later!
ANS: B
Infants cannot verbally express their pain, but they do express pain with
behavioral cues (facial expressions, crying) and physiological indicators (changes in
vital signs). Infants can tolerate analgesics, but proper dosing and close monitoring
are essential. Infants and older children have the same sensitivity to pain. Pain can
be
assessed even though the neonate cannot verbalize; the nurse can observe
behavioral clues. Nurses use behavioral cues and physiological responses to assess
pain in infants.
ANS: B
Opioid tolerance occurs when a patient needs higher doses of an opioid to control
pain. Naloxone (Narcan) is an opioid antagonist that is given to reverse the effects
of opioid overdose. Taking pain medications regularly around the clock is an
effective way to control pain. The pain medication for this patient is most likely
effectively managing the patient's pain because the patient is not asking for the
medication before it is due. A patient no longer experiencing a side effect
(sedation) of an opioid does not indicate opioid tolerance.
ANS: D
Immediate (STAT) medications need to be given as soon as possible. In
addition, this patient is the priority because of the report of severe pain. The
other patients need pain medication, but their situations are not as high a
priority as that of the patient with the STAT medication order.
ANS: D
NSAIDs like ibuprofen likely work by inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins to
inhibit cellular responses to inflammation. Ibuprofen does not depress the central
, nervous system, nor does it enhance coping with pain. Opioids bind with opiate
receptors to modify perceptions of pain.
Don't know?
2 of 45
Term
A nurse is assessing a patient who started to have severe pain 3 days
ago. When the nurse asks the patient to describe the pain, the patient
states, "The pain feels like it is in my stomach. It is a burning pain, and it
spreads out in a circle around the spot where it hurts the most." Which
type of pain does the nurse document the patient is having at this
time?
a.
Superficial pain
b.
Idiopathic pain
c.
Chronic pain
d.
Visceral pain
Give this one a go later!
ANS: D
Immediate (STAT) medications need to be given as soon as possible. In addition, this
patient is the priority because of the report of severe pain. The other patients need
pain medication, but their situations are not as high a priority as that of the patient
with the STAT medication order.
, ANS: A
The major adverse effect of acetaminophen is hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity).
Because both alcohol and acetaminophen are metabolized by the liver, when taken
together, they can cause liver damage. Smoking cigarettes and smoking marijuana
are not healthy behaviors, but their effects on health are not affected by
acetaminophen. Antianxiety medications can be taken with acetaminophen.
ANS: A
A respiratory rate of 10 indicates respiratory depression. A rare adverse effect of
opioids in opioid-naïve patients (patients who have used opioids around the clock
for less than approximately 1 week) is respiratory depression. Naloxone (Narcan)
may be administered. While the other patients are experiencing pain and do need
to be seen, they are not the priority since respirations are not affected.
ANS: D
Visceral pain arises from visceral organs, such as those from the
gastrointestinal tract. Visceral pain is diffuse and radiates in several directions
and can have a burning quality. Superficial pain has a short duration and is
usually a sharp pain arising from the skin. Pain of an unknown cause is called
idiopathic pain. Chronic pain lasts longer than 6 months.
Don't know?
3 of 45
Term
A patient with a 3-day history of a stroke that left her confused and
unable to communicate returns from interventional radiology following
placement of a gastrostomy tube. The patient had been taking
hydrocodone/APAP 5/325 up to four tablets/day before her stroke
for the past year to manage her arthritic pain. The health care
provider's
