ABPANC ABPANC Pain Management & Comfort Care

Question 1

Which pain assessment tool is most appropriate for a non-verbal PACU patient who cannot self-report pain?

Accepted Answer

Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) or CPOT

Answer

The Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS) and Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) are validated for non-verbal or sedated patients who cannot self-report.

Question 2

A patient in PACU rates pain 8/10 and has received the maximum ordered IV opioid dose. What is the appropriate next nursing action?

Accepted Answer

Notify the anesthesia provider or surgeon to request additional analgesic orders

Answer

When pain exceeds the available ordered analgesics, the provider must be contacted for additional orders to ensure adequate pain management.

Question 3

What is multimodal analgesia in the perioperative setting?

Accepted Answer

Combining multiple analgesic agents and techniques targeting different pain pathways to reduce opioid use

Answer

Multimodal analgesia combines agents such as NSAIDs, acetaminophen, local anesthetics, and opioids to achieve better pain control with lower opioid requirements.

Question 4

Which non-pharmacologic intervention is appropriate in the PACU to help manage post-operative pain?

Accepted Answer

Positioning for comfort, applying ice to surgical sites as ordered, and providing distraction

Answer

Non-pharmacologic measures including positioning, ice application, and distraction complement pharmacologic pain management in the PACU.

Question 5

Ketorolac (Toradol) is ordered for a post-operative patient in the PACU. Which patient finding is a contraindication to its administration?

Accepted Answer

A history of peptic ulcer disease and current renal impairment

Answer

Ketorolac is an NSAID contraindicated in patients with peptic ulcer disease and renal impairment due to risks of GI bleeding and nephrotoxicity.

ABPANC - American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification Practice Test

ABPANC - American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification Practice Test

ABPANC ABPANC Pain Management & Comfort Care