AMSN Pain Management and Palliative Care

Question 1

A patient rates their post-operative pain as 8/10 and reports their current analgesic regimen is ineffective. The nurse's first action is:

Accepted Answer

Assess the pain fully using location, quality, onset, and aggravating factors, then contact the provider for orders if needed

Answer

Wait until the next scheduled medication time

Answer

Administer the next scheduled dose early

Answer

Apply ice to the surgical site only

Question 2

A patient receiving IV patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) morphine is found with a respiratory rate of 7 breaths/min and is difficult to arouse. The nurse's priority action is:

Accepted Answer

Stop the PCA, administer naloxone (Narcan), and call for emergency assistance

Answer

Increase the PCA lockout interval

Answer

Administer supplemental oxygen and monitor

Answer

Reposition the patient and reassess in 15 minutes

Question 3

A patient with chronic cancer pain is on scheduled long-acting opioids. The nurse's understanding of equianalgesic dosing is important when:

Accepted Answer

Converting between opioid formulations or routes to maintain equivalent pain control

Answer

Titrating antihypertensive medications

Answer

Calculating antibiotic dosages

Answer

Adjusting insulin sliding scale doses

Question 4

A palliative care patient with advanced cancer has uncontrolled pain despite scheduled opioids. The nurse should advocate for the addition of:

Accepted Answer

A breakthrough (rescue) dose of a short-acting opioid for episodic pain

Answer

A lower dose of the current opioid

Answer

An antibiotic to reduce pain

Answer

A benzodiazepine as the primary analgesic

Question 5

A patient with chronic neuropathic pain is prescribed gabapentin (Neurontin). The nurse should teach the patient that this medication:

Accepted Answer

Is an anticonvulsant that treats neuropathic pain by stabilizing nerve membranes; causes dizziness and somnolence

Answer

Is an opioid analgesic that requires monitoring for respiratory depression

Answer

Provides immediate pain relief within minutes of administration

Answer

Should be stopped abruptly if ineffective after one dose

Question 6

In the WHO analgesic ladder, which step represents the use of strong opioids for severe pain?

Accepted Answer

Step 3 — strong opioids such as morphine or oxycodone

Answer

Step 1 — non-opioids (acetaminophen, NSAIDs)

Answer

Step 2 — weak opioids such as codeine

Answer

Step 4 — interventional procedures