,NUR 3230 Exam 2 – The Child With A Chronic
Condition – Q&A (2026) | William Paterson
1. What is the most reliable indicator of a patient's experience of pain?
A) The patient's self-report
B) Observable facial grimacing
C) Vital sign changes
D) The nurse's judgment
Correct Answer: A) The patient's self-report
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience, so the patient's self-report is the
most reliable indicator. Observable behaviors and vital sign changes may
accompany pain but do not replace the patient's own description. Nurses should
accept and document the self-report while using assessment tools to guide
management.
2. Which pain assessment parameter is represented by the letter O in the
LOTTAARP mnemonic?
A) Oxygen saturation
B) Onset
C) Orientation
D) Outcome
Correct Answer: B) Onset
,Rationale: In LOTTAARP, O represents onset, which asks when the pain began.
The full mnemonic includes location, onset, timing, type, associated symptoms,
alleviating factors, radiation, and precipitating event. Onset helps determine
whether pain is acute or chronic and guides further evaluation.
3. When caring for a patient prescribed an opioid analgesic, which assessment
should the nurse prioritize?
A) Pain relief only
B) Blood pressure
C) Respiratory status
D) Urinary output
Correct Answer: C) Respiratory status
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most life-threatening adverse effect of
opioid analgesics and may last longer than the analgesic effect. The nurse
should monitor respiratory rate, depth, and oxygen saturation. Naloxone and
resuscitative equipment should be available in case of severe respiratory
depression.
4. Which statement about opioid-induced respiratory depression is accurate?
A) It occurs only with first doses
B) It is always immediate and short-lived
C) It is unrelated to dose
D) It may last longer than the analgesic effect
Correct Answer: D) It may last longer than the analgesic effect
, Rationale: Opioid-induced respiratory depression can persist after pain relief
has diminished, especially with long-acting opioids or accumulation. Monitoring
must continue beyond the expected analgesic duration. Naloxone may need
repeated dosing because its duration is shorter than many opioids.
5. Which pair of adverse effects is common with opioid analgesics?
A) Constipation and urinary retention
B) Diarrhea and hypertension
C) Increased salivation and diarrhea
D) Tachycardia and polyuria
Correct Answer: A) Constipation and urinary retention
Rationale: Opioids reduce gastrointestinal motility and increase bladder
sphincter tone, causing constipation and urinary retention. These are common
and often require preventive measures such as fluids, fiber, and stool softeners.
Diarrhea, increased salivation, tachycardia, and polyuria are not typical opioid
effects.
6. What is usually the first sign of opioid tolerance?
A) Increased pain at rest
B) Shortened duration of drug effectiveness
C) Immediate withdrawal symptoms
D) Respiratory depression
Condition – Q&A (2026) | William Paterson
1. What is the most reliable indicator of a patient's experience of pain?
A) The patient's self-report
B) Observable facial grimacing
C) Vital sign changes
D) The nurse's judgment
Correct Answer: A) The patient's self-report
Rationale: Pain is a subjective experience, so the patient's self-report is the
most reliable indicator. Observable behaviors and vital sign changes may
accompany pain but do not replace the patient's own description. Nurses should
accept and document the self-report while using assessment tools to guide
management.
2. Which pain assessment parameter is represented by the letter O in the
LOTTAARP mnemonic?
A) Oxygen saturation
B) Onset
C) Orientation
D) Outcome
Correct Answer: B) Onset
,Rationale: In LOTTAARP, O represents onset, which asks when the pain began.
The full mnemonic includes location, onset, timing, type, associated symptoms,
alleviating factors, radiation, and precipitating event. Onset helps determine
whether pain is acute or chronic and guides further evaluation.
3. When caring for a patient prescribed an opioid analgesic, which assessment
should the nurse prioritize?
A) Pain relief only
B) Blood pressure
C) Respiratory status
D) Urinary output
Correct Answer: C) Respiratory status
Rationale: Respiratory depression is the most life-threatening adverse effect of
opioid analgesics and may last longer than the analgesic effect. The nurse
should monitor respiratory rate, depth, and oxygen saturation. Naloxone and
resuscitative equipment should be available in case of severe respiratory
depression.
4. Which statement about opioid-induced respiratory depression is accurate?
A) It occurs only with first doses
B) It is always immediate and short-lived
C) It is unrelated to dose
D) It may last longer than the analgesic effect
Correct Answer: D) It may last longer than the analgesic effect
, Rationale: Opioid-induced respiratory depression can persist after pain relief
has diminished, especially with long-acting opioids or accumulation. Monitoring
must continue beyond the expected analgesic duration. Naloxone may need
repeated dosing because its duration is shorter than many opioids.
5. Which pair of adverse effects is common with opioid analgesics?
A) Constipation and urinary retention
B) Diarrhea and hypertension
C) Increased salivation and diarrhea
D) Tachycardia and polyuria
Correct Answer: A) Constipation and urinary retention
Rationale: Opioids reduce gastrointestinal motility and increase bladder
sphincter tone, causing constipation and urinary retention. These are common
and often require preventive measures such as fluids, fiber, and stool softeners.
Diarrhea, increased salivation, tachycardia, and polyuria are not typical opioid
effects.
6. What is usually the first sign of opioid tolerance?
A) Increased pain at rest
B) Shortened duration of drug effectiveness
C) Immediate withdrawal symptoms
D) Respiratory depression
