Pain Management and Comfort Measures Flashcards
7 cards from real CNA 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 and Comfort Measures flashcards as text
What is pain officially considered in modern healthcare settings?
Answer: The fifth vital sign
Pain is recognized as the fifth vital sign, meaning it must be assessed and documented alongside temperature, pulse, respirations, and blood pressure.
Which pain assessment tool uses facial expressions to help patients communicate their pain level?
Answer: Wong-Baker FACES Scale
The Wong-Baker FACES Scale uses a series of faces ranging from smiling to crying to help patients, especially children or those with communication difficulties, indicate their pain level.
When a resident reports pain to a CNA, what is the CNA's first priority?
Answer: Report the pain to the nurse
CNAs are not authorized to administer medications; their first responsibility is to promptly report the resident's pain to the nurse so appropriate interventions can be ordered.
Which of the following is a non-pharmacological comfort measure a CNA can use to help manage a resident's pain?
Answer: Repositioning the resident
Repositioning is a non-pharmacological intervention within a CNA's scope of practice that can relieve pressure points and reduce discomfort without medication.
A resident rates their pain as 8 out of 10 on a numeric scale. How should the CNA classify this pain level?
Answer: Severe pain
On a 0–10 numeric scale, scores of 7–10 are classified as severe pain and require prompt nursing notification and intervention.
Which of the following best describes acute pain?
Answer: Pain that is sudden in onset and typically resolves as healing occurs
Acute pain has a sudden onset, is usually related to a specific injury or illness, and typically resolves as the underlying cause heals.
When should a CNA document a resident's reported pain?
Answer: Promptly after assessing and reporting it to the nurse
Accurate and timely documentation of pain reports ensures continuity of care and provides a legal record of assessment and communication to the nurse.