CNA Pain Management and Comfort Measures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A resident rates their pain as 8 out of 10 after repositioning. What is the CNA's priority action?
- Administer the prescribed pain medication
- Report the pain level to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Offer the resident a distraction such as television
- Document the pain and continue with care tasks
Correct answer: Report the pain level to the nurse immediately
The CNA must report uncontrolled pain to the nurse immediately so the nurse can assess and intervene with appropriate treatment.
Question 2: Which nonpharmacological comfort measure involves applying a warm or cool cloth to reduce discomfort?
- Guided imagery
- Therapeutic touch
- Heat or cold application (Correct answer)
- Progressive muscle relaxation
Correct answer: Heat or cold application
Heat or cold application uses temperature to reduce pain and inflammation and is a common nonpharmacological comfort measure.
Question 3: A resident with dementia cannot verbally report pain. Which sign should the CNA recognize as a possible indicator of pain?
- Increased appetite and socialization
- Facial grimacing and moaning during movement (Correct answer)
- Sleeping more than usual without restlessness
- Requesting fewer repositioning turns
Correct answer: Facial grimacing and moaning during movement
Facial grimacing and moaning during movement are behavioral indicators of pain commonly seen in residents who cannot verbally communicate.
Question 4: When applying a heating pad to a resident, the CNA should:
- Set it to the highest setting for maximum relief
- Place a cloth barrier between the pad and skin (Correct answer)
- Leave it in place for at least two hours
- Apply it directly to an open wound for comfort
Correct answer: Place a cloth barrier between the pad and skin
A cloth barrier prevents burns by reducing direct contact between the heating pad and the skin.
Question 5: A resident asks the CNA to help them use deep breathing exercises for pain. The CNA should:
- Decline because breathing exercises are outside the CNA's scope
- Assist the resident and encourage slow, controlled breaths (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident this technique is ineffective for pain
- Call the nurse before attempting any breathing exercise
Correct answer: Assist the resident and encourage slow, controlled breaths
Assisting with deep breathing is within the CNA's scope and is a recognized nonpharmacological comfort measure.
Question 6: Which statement best describes the CNA's role in pain management?
- CNAs can adjust medication doses based on reported pain levels
- CNAs observe, report, and provide nonpharmacological comfort measures (Correct answer)
- CNAs are responsible for diagnosing the cause of a resident's pain
- CNAs should wait until the care plan is updated before addressing pain
Correct answer: CNAs observe, report, and provide nonpharmacological comfort measures
The CNA's role in pain management is to observe for signs of pain, report findings to the nurse, and offer approved comfort measures.
Question 7: A resident receiving post-operative care says their pain medication is 'not working.' The CNA should:
- Give an extra dose from the medication cart
- Reposition the resident and offer distraction while notifying the nurse (Correct answer)
- Tell the resident to wait until the next scheduled dose
- Encourage the resident to tolerate the pain to avoid dependency
Correct answer: Reposition the resident and offer distraction while notifying the nurse
The CNA should offer comfort measures and promptly report inadequate pain control to the nurse for further evaluation.
CNA Pain Management and Comfort Measures 4
A resident rates their pain as 8 out of 10 after repositioning.
What is the CNA's priority action?