CPAN CPAN Pain Management 3

Question 1

What is equianalgesic dosing in PACU practice?

Accepted Answer

Converting between different opioids using dose equivalency tables

Answer

Administering equal doses of all pain medications simultaneously

Answer

Using the same medication at the same dose for every patient

Answer

Administering opioids at equal fixed time intervals

Question 2

Which factors should guide the PACU nurse's choice of pain management approach?

Accepted Answer

Type of surgery, patient's medical history, allergies, and pain assessment findings

Answer

Patient's age only

Answer

The hospital formulary list only

Answer

The surgeon's stated preference only

Question 3

Why is pain reassessment after interventions essential in the PACU?

Accepted Answer

It determines intervention effectiveness and guides further treatment decisions

Answer

It is required solely to fulfill hospital policy requirements

Answer

It is performed only if the patient complains again after treatment

Answer

It is done to delay discharge from the PACU for safety reasons

Question 4

What is opioid tolerance and how does it affect post-anesthesia pain management?

Accepted Answer

Decreased analgesic effect requiring higher doses to achieve the same pain relief

Answer

An allergy to opioid medications requiring avoidance

Answer

The ability to metabolize opioids more rapidly than average

Answer

A contraindication to opioid use in the post-operative setting

Question 5

A PACU patient with a history of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) requires opioids for pain. What special precaution should be taken?

Accepted Answer

Increase monitoring frequency and keep supplemental oxygen readily available

Answer

Avoid all pain medication and use only positioning

Answer

Administer maximum allowable opioid doses to prevent under-treatment

Answer

Discharge immediately to minimize opioid exposure time

Question 6

What is the purpose of the Aldrete Score in PACU discharge planning?

Accepted Answer

To objectively evaluate recovery using criteria including activity, respiration, circulation, consciousness, and oxygen saturation

Answer

To assess only the patient's current pain level before discharge

Answer

To determine appropriate post-operative medication dosing

Answer

To assess surgical wound healing and readiness for staple removal