Case Study: Pain Management Exam

A nurse is caring for a client who has a fractured humerus and received an opioid medication intravenously 1 hr ago for pain. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask to determine the intensity of the client's pain at this time?

"On a scale from 0 to 10, how do you rate your pain?" The nurse should ask the client to rate his pain using a pain scale to assess the intensity of the pain.

A nurse is assessing a client's pain. Which of the following questions should the nurse ask the client to assess the quality of the pain?

"What does your pain feel like?" The nurse should assess the quality of the client's pain by asking him to describe how it feels.

A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen 1,000 mg PO every 12 hr for a client who has arthritic pain. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

Hepatotoxicity. The nurse should monitor the client for hepatotoxicity. The client should not receive more than 4 g/day of acetaminophen to prevent damage to the liver.

A nurse is caring for a client who has a left hip fracture and is prescribed a morphine IV bolus as needed for pain. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects?

Sedation. The nurse should monitor the client for sedation, which is an adverse effect of morphine and can lead to respiratory depression.

A nurse is preparing to administer hydrocodone to a client who reports throbbing pain following a back injury. The nurse should document that the client is experiencing which of the following types of pain?

Somatic. The nurse should identify that the client who has a back injury is experiencing somatic pain, which affects the bones, joints, and muscles of the body.