Pain Management Flashcards
7 cards from real Child Life Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pain Management flashcards as text
Sucrose solution given orally before a painful procedure in neonates is effective because it:
Answer: Activates endogenous opioid and serotonin pathways to reduce pain
Oral sucrose triggers endogenous opioid and serotonin release, providing analgesic and calming effects in neonates undergoing minor painful procedures.
A child's fear of pain before a procedure is BEST described as:
Answer: Anticipatory anxiety that can amplify pain perception
Anticipatory anxiety increases physiological arousal, which lowers the pain threshold and makes the procedural experience more distressing.
Which factor is MOST important when selecting a distraction technique for a child during a painful procedure?
Answer: The child's preferences, developmental level, and what has worked before
Individualized distraction matched to the child's developmental stage, interests, and prior success is most effective for pain and anxiety reduction.
Cultural humility in pediatric pain management requires the child life specialist to:
Answer: Recognize that cultural background influences pain expression and response to interventions
Cultural beliefs and practices shape how pain is expressed and treated; culturally humble practice involves awareness and individualized, respectful assessment.
A 12-year-old is receiving chemotherapy and develops anticipatory nausea and pain before each session. This is an example of:
Answer: Classical conditioning where treatment-related cues trigger a conditioned pain/nausea response
Repeated pairing of chemotherapy stimuli with nausea and pain can condition the body to respond to pre-treatment cues alone, a classic Pavlovian response.
Which child life intervention is MOST appropriate for a toddler experiencing post-operative pain?
Answer: Comfort positioning with the caregiver and familiar comfort objects
Toddlers are soothed most effectively by caregiver proximity, familiar objects, and physical comfort rather than cognitive strategies they cannot yet use independently.
The concept of 'pain memory' in pediatrics refers to:
Answer: How a child's prior painful experiences shape future pain perception and behavior
Negative pain memories from undertreated or poorly managed procedures sensitize children to future pain, increasing distress and avoidance behaviors.