Analgesics and Pain Management Medications > Pharmacology
Exam Review
Pain Assessment Tools and Scale Conclusion
Total Questions : 5
Showing 5 questions, Sign in for moreA nurse is teaching a patient how to use a numeric rating scale (NRS) to assess pain intensity.
Which of the following statements by the nurse is appropriate?
Explanation
This statement is appropriate because it uses theNumeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS)orNumerical Rating Scale (NRS), which is a subjective measure of pain intensity in adults, including those with chronic pain. It is a segmented numeric version of the visual analogue scale (VAS) in which a respondent selects a whole number from 0 (no pain at all) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).The scale is anchored by terms describing pain severity extremes.It can help assess the extent of pain, improve communication with healthcare providers, guide the diagnostic process, and track the progression of pain.
Choice B is wrong because it asks about the pain in the last 24 hours, which is not consistent with the NPRS.The NPRS usually asks about the pain intensity “in the last 24 hours” or average pain intensity, but not both.
Choice C is wrong because it uses a different scale, the visual analogue scale (VAS), which is a continuous line with no numbers or segments.The respondent marks a line on this scale to show how much pain they have right now.
Choice D is wrong because it uses another scale, the verbal rating scale (VRS), which is a list of words that describe different levels of pain intensity, such as mild, moderate, severe, etc.The respondent chooses a word from this list that best describes their pain right now.
A nurse is assessing a patient who has acute postoperative pain.
The nurse asks the patient to describe the quality of the pain. Which of the following responses by the patient indicates pain quality?
Explanation
Pain quality is the description of how the pain feels, such as throbbing, burning, stabbing, etcChoice A indicates pain quality by using the word “throbbing” to describe the sensation in the wound.
Choice B is wrong because it indicates pain onset, not pain quality. Pain onset is when the pain started or how long it lasts.
Choice C is wrong because it indicates pain effect, not pain quality. The pain effect is how the pain makes the person feel emotional, such as anxious, depressed, angry, etc.
Choice D is wrong because it indicates pain relief, not pain quality. Pain relief is what makes the pain go away or reduce in intensity. Normal ranges for pain intensity are usually measured on a scale of 0 to 10, with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginableNormal ranges for pain quality are subjective and depend on the person’s experience and perception of pain.
A nurse is evaluating a patient’s response to analgesic therapy.
The nurse asks the patient if there is any change in the pain relief after taking the medication. Which of the following responses by the patient indicates a positive outcome of analgesic therapy?
Explanation
A positive outcome of analgesic therapy is to reduce pain to a tolerable level, not to eliminate it completely.
Choice A is wrong because it may indicate overmedication or adverse effects of the analgesic.
Choice C is wrong because it indicates inadequate pain relief and the need for a different or higher dose of analgesic.
Choice D is wrong because it indicates the side effects of the analgesic that may interfere with the patient’s quality of life.
A nurse is caring for a patient who has dementia and reports pain in the lower extremities.
The nurse observes that the patient grimaces and rubs his legs frequently. Which of the following behavioral pain assessment tools and scales should the nurse use to measure the patient’s pain level?
Explanation
The PAINAD scale is a behavioral pain assessment tool that is designed for patients with advanced dementia who cannot communicate verbally. The PAINAD scale evaluates five indicators of pain: breathing, vocalization, facial expression, body language, and consolability. Each indicator is scored from 0 to 2, and the total score ranges from 0 to 10.A higher score indicates more severe pain.
Choice A is wrong because the FLACC scale is a behavioural pain assessment tool that is used for children aged 2 months to 7 years who are unable to report their pain.The FLACC scale evaluates five categories of pain: face, legs, activity, cry, and consolability.
Choice C is wrong because the PASS scale is a behavioral pain assessment tool that is used for patients who are sedated or unconscious.The PASS scale evaluates four indicators of pain: movement of limbs, facial grimacing, muscle tension, and compliance with ventilation.
Choice D is wrong because the CAS scale is a behavioral pain assessment tool that is used for children aged 1 to 18 years who are awake and alert. The CAS scale evaluates six categories of pain: vocal, facial, activity, body and limbs, physiological, and consolability
A nurse is caring for a patient who has chronic back pain due to osteoarthritis.
Which of the following pain assessment tools and scales should the nurse use to measure multiple aspects of the patient’s pain experience and impact? (Select all that apply.)
Explanation
The McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) and the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) are pain assessment tools that measure multiple aspects of the patient’s pain experience and impact.The MPQ evaluates the sensory, affective, and evaluative dimensions of pain, as well as the pain intensity and location.The BPI assesses the severity of pain, the interference of pain with daily activities, and the response to pain treatment.
Choice C is wrong because the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WBFPRS) is a simple tool that uses facial expressions to rate pain intensity from 0 to 10. It does not measure other aspects of pain such as quality, location, or impact.
Choice D is wrong because the Pain Disability Index (PDI) is a tool that measures the degree of functional impairment due to chronic pain. It does not measure the pain intensity or quality.
Choice E is wrong because the Faces Pain Scale (FPS) is another tool that uses facial expressions to rate pain intensity from 0 to 10. It is similar to the WBFPRS but does not use numbers. It also does not measure other aspects of pain such as quality, location, or impact.
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