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

Comprehensive pain reassessment is necessary before escalating treatment to ensure the appropriate analgesic approach is selected for the type of pain.

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

Respiratory depression from opioid overdose is life-threatening and requires immediate PCA cessation, naloxone administration, and emergency response.

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

Equianalgesic dosing tables allow safe conversion between different opioids or routes (oral to IV) while maintaining equivalent pain control without under- or over-dosing.

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

Breakthrough (rescue) doses of short-acting opioids are prescribed for episodic or incident pain that exceeds the relief provided by scheduled long-acting medications.

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

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant used for neuropathic pain that works via calcium channel modulation; it requires gradual dose titration and causes dizziness and sedation.

AMSN - Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Practice Test

AMSN - Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Practice Test

AMSN Pain Management and Palliative Care