CNA Pain Management and Comfort Measures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which position is often used to help relieve lower back pain in a resident who is in bed?
- Prone (face-down) position
- Semi-Fowler's position with knees slightly elevated (Correct answer)
- Trendelenburg (head-down) position
- Upright standing position
Correct answer: Semi-Fowler's position with knees slightly elevated
Semi-Fowler's position with the knees slightly elevated reduces tension on the lumbar spine and can provide significant relief for lower back pain.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of applying a warm compress to a painful area?
- To reduce inflammation and lower fever
- To increase blood flow and help relax muscle tension (Correct answer)
- To numb the affected area by cooling it
- To prevent wound infection
Correct answer: To increase blood flow and help relax muscle tension
Heat therapy increases circulation to the area, relaxes muscle spasms, and can decrease stiffness, making it effective for musculoskeletal pain.
Question 3: When applying a cold compress for pain relief, how long is it typically recommended to leave it in place?
- Continuously for several hours
- 5–10 minutes at a time
- 15–20 minutes at a time (Correct answer)
- 60 minutes without interruption
Correct answer: 15–20 minutes at a time
Cold therapy is generally applied for 15–20 minutes at a time to reduce swelling and numb pain without causing tissue damage from prolonged cold exposure.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of chronic pain?
- Pain from a minor paper cut
- Incisional pain on the first day after surgery
- Arthritis pain that has persisted for several years (Correct answer)
- A headache that occurs after hitting one's head
Correct answer: Arthritis pain that has persisted for several years
Chronic pain is defined as pain lasting 3 to 6 months or longer; arthritis pain that has persisted for years is a classic example of chronic pain.
Question 5: A resident with advanced dementia cannot verbally report pain. What behavioral cues should a CNA monitor for?
- Changes in blood pressure only
- Grimacing, restlessness, guarding, or changes in behavior (Correct answer)
- The resident will always cry out loudly if in pain
- Changes in appetite as the sole indicator
Correct answer: Grimacing, restlessness, guarding, or changes in behavior
Non-verbal pain indicators such as facial grimacing, moaning, guarding a body part, agitation, or unusual restlessness are reliable cues in cognitively impaired residents.
Question 6: What does the 'P' stand for in the PQRST pain assessment mnemonic?
- Position
- Provocation/Palliation (Correct answer)
- Pressure
- Pulse
Correct answer: Provocation/Palliation
In PQRST, 'P' stands for Provocation/Palliation — what makes the pain worse or better — helping clinicians understand triggers and relievers.
Question 7: Which CNA action during care can most effectively help minimize a resident's pain experience?
- Rushing through care to shorten the time in discomfort
- Ignoring complaints to avoid reinforcing pain-seeking behavior
- Handling the resident gently and explaining each step before performing it (Correct answer)
- Telling the resident that others experience much worse pain
Correct answer: Handling the resident gently and explaining each step before performing it
Gentle handling, clear communication, and warning residents before movements reduces anxiety and muscle guarding, which in turn minimizes pain during care activities.
CNA Pain Management and Comfort Measures 2
Which position is often used to help relieve lower back pain in a resident who is in bed?