Back Pain Low Back Pain And Vital Signs 5

Question 1

A patient with back pain after a fall from a ladder has BP 88/54, HR 128, and cool clammy skin. These findings suggest:

Accepted Answer

Hypovolemic shock, possibly from internal bleeding

Answer

Hypotension, tachycardia, and cool clammy skin after trauma indicate shock from possible internal hemorrhage.

Question 2

Which route of temperature measurement gives the best core estimate in a critically ill back-trauma patient?

Accepted Answer

Rectal (or another core route)

Answer

Rectal and other core routes most accurately reflect true core body temperature.

Question 3

A patient taking a beta-blocker has severe low back pain but a heart rate of only 62 bpm. Why might tachycardia be absent?

Accepted Answer

Beta-blockers blunt the heart rate response to pain and stress

Answer

Beta-blockers block sympathetic stimulation, masking the expected pain-induced tachycardia.

Question 4

When assessing pain as part of vital signs in a nonverbal older adult with suspected back pain, the best approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Use behavioral cues such as grimacing, guarding, and restlessness

Answer

Behavioral pain scales relying on facial expression, guarding, and vocalization are used when patients cannot self-report.

Question 5

A 22-year-old with morning back stiffness lasting over an hour has normal vital signs. Which condition does this pattern suggest?

Accepted Answer

Ankylosing spondylitis (inflammatory back pain)

Answer

Prolonged morning stiffness in a young adult with normal vital signs is characteristic of inflammatory back pain like ankylosing spondylitis.

Back Pain Practice Test