CAPA Pharmacology & Pain Management — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which medication class is most commonly used for acute postoperative pain?
- Antibiotics
- Opioids (Correct answer)
- Antihistamines
- Laxatives
Correct answer: Opioids
Opioids like morphine or fentanyl are typically used for managing moderate to severe postoperative pain.
Question 2: What is a common side effect of opioid administration?
- Hypertension
- Tachycardia
- Respiratory depression (Correct answer)
- Diarrhea
Correct answer: Respiratory depression
Respiratory depression is a serious potential side effect of opioids, requiring close monitoring.
Question 3: Why are multimodal analgesia strategies used?
- To reduce IV use
- To simplify dosing
- To improve pain control and reduce opioid use (Correct answer)
- To delay recovery
Correct answer: To improve pain control and reduce opioid use
Using different types of pain medications can enhance pain relief and minimize side effects.
Question 4: What should a nurse assess before giving an opioid?
- Heart rhythm
- Pupil size
- Respiratory rate (Correct answer)
- Skin turgor
Correct answer: Respiratory rate
Assessing the patient’s respiratory rate ensures it is safe to administer opioids without causing depression.
Question 5: Which non-pharmacologic method can aid in pain control postoperatively?
- Fasting
- Deep breathing exercises (Correct answer)
- Frequent repositioning only
- Excessive talking
Correct answer: Deep breathing exercises
Deep breathing and relaxation techniques support comfort and reduce stress-related pain.
Question 6: What is a priority when administering IV pain medications?
- Ignore patient feedback
- Check lab values
- Observe response and side effects (Correct answer)
- Remove IV immediately after
Correct answer: Observe response and side effects
Monitoring for adverse reactions and effectiveness is crucial after administering IV analgesics.
CAPA Pharmacology & Pain Management
Which medication class is most commonly used for acute postoperative pain?