Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client who had radiation therapy, prescribed by their Oncologist, and is experiencing painful dermatitis.
The nurse should identify the client is experiencing which of the following types of pain?
A. Chronic pain.
Chronic pain. Chronic pain is characterized by pain that persists over an extended period, often lasting for months or even years. It is usually associated with conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia. However, in this scenario, the client's painful dermatitis is a result of radiation therapy, which is an acute event, not a chronic condition. Therefore, chronic pain is not the correct choice.
B. Neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system and is often described as burning, shooting, or electrical in nature. It can result from various conditions, including radiation therapy, which can damage nerves and cause skin changes like painful dermatitis. In this case, the client's pain is likely neuropathic in nature due to the radiation therapy's effects on the skin and nerves. Therefore, choice B, neuropathic pain, is the correct answer.
C. Acute pain.
Acute pain. Acute pain is typically of sudden onset and is related to tissue damage or injury. While the client is experiencing pain, the description of "painful dermatitis" suggests that this pain is a result of the acute effects of radiation therapy. However, the question is looking for a specific type of pain, and "acute pain" does not provide enough information about the nature of the pain. Therefore, it is not the correct choice.
D. Cancer pain.
Cancer pain. Cancer pain is pain that is associated with cancer and its treatment. It can be acute or chronic, and it may result from various causes, such as tumor growth or treatment side effects. However, the client's pain is specifically described as "painful dermatitis," which is a type of skin inflammation commonly associated with radiation therapy. This type of pain is not unique to cancer, and the question is asking for a more specific type of pain. Therefore, cancer pain is not the correct choice.
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI Custom T1 PM Summer 2023 Proctored Exam 5. Take the full exam now
Similar Questions
A nurse is caring for a toddler who is scheduled to have a lumbar puncture.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?
A. Restrain the toddler for 1 hr after the procedure.
Restrain the toddler for 1 hr after the procedure. Restraint of a toddler after a lumbar puncture is not a recommended practice. It can be distressing for the child and may not be necessary if appropriate positioning and comfort measures are employed. Restraint is not the correct choice in this situation.
B. Place the toddler in a side-lying, knee-chest position.
Place the toddler in a side-lying, knee-chest position. The correct choice is to place the toddler in a side-lying, knee-chest position for a lumbar puncture. This position allows for proper alignment of the spine and easy access to the lumbar area while minimizing discomfort and risk. It is a standard practice for performing lumbar punctures in pediatric patients, making choice B the correct answer.
C. Ask another nurse to assist with holding the toddler in a prone position.
Ask another nurse to assist with holding the toddler in a prone position. Placing a toddler in a prone position for a lumbar puncture is not the standard practice. It can be challenging to achieve the proper positioning and may not be comfortable or safe for the child. The prone position is not recommended for lumbar punctures, making choice C incorrect.
D. Swaddle the toddler in a warm blanket.
Swaddle the toddler in a warm blanket. Swaddling a toddler in a warm blanket may provide comfort in certain situations but is not the appropriate action for a lumbar puncture. The procedure requires specific positioning to access the lumbar area safely and accurately. Swaddling would not facilitate this positioning and would not be the correct choice.
A nurse is collecting data on a client who received an opioid narcotic for incisional pain.
Which of the following findings is the priority?
A. Pulse oximetry.
Pulse oximetry. Pulse oximetry is the top priority in this situation. Opioid narcotics can cause respiratory depression, which can lead to decreased oxygen saturation in the blood. Monitoring oxygen saturation through pulse oximetry allows the nurse to quickly assess the client's respiratory status and intervene if oxygen levels drop below an acceptable range. Ensuring adequate oxygenation is crucial for the client's safety, making choice A the correct answer.
B. Blood pressure.
Blood pressure. Monitoring blood pressure is important when assessing a client's overall condition and response to medications. However, in the context of a client who received an opioid narcotic for incisional pain, monitoring blood pressure is not the top priority. Opioid narcotics primarily affect respiratory and central nervous system function, making respiratory and sedation assessment more critical in this scenario.
C. Level of sedation.
Level of sedation. Assessing the level of sedation is important when a client has received an opioid narcotic, as opioids can cause respiratory depression and sedation. However, in this case, the client received the opioid for incisional pain, and the priority is to ensure adequate oxygenation and respiratory function. Therefore, assessing sedation level, while important, is not the top priority.
D. Pain level.
Pain level. Assessing the client's pain level is important, but it is not the top priority in this scenario. The client received an opioid narcotic for incisional pain, and the primary concern now is to monitor for potential side effects of the medication, such as respiratory depression. Pain assessment should still be done, but it is not the priority.
A nurse is collecting data on a client following administration of an opioid narcotic.
Which of the following findings indicates a decrease in the client's pain?
A. The client is asleep.
The client is asleep. The correct choice is A because the client being asleep can be a significant indicator of pain relief. It suggests that the client is comfortable enough to rest and may not be experiencing severe pain. Opioid narcotics often cause sedation as a side effect, and this sedation can contribute to the client falling asleep. While it is not the only indicator of pain relief, it is a valuable sign to consider in assessing the effectiveness of pain management.
B. The client has an elevated blood pressure.
The client has an elevated blood pressure. An elevated blood pressure may be a response to pain or other stressors. While monitoring blood pressure is important, it is not the primary indicator of pain relief in this context. Opioid narcotics can cause changes in blood pressure, and pain relief can sometimes lead to a decrease in blood pressure. Therefore, an elevated blood pressure alone does not necessarily indicate a decrease in pain.
C. The client has an increased respiratory rate.
The client has an increased respiratory rate. An increased respiratory rate may be a response to pain or distress. However, it is not a reliable indicator of pain relief when a client has received an opioid narcotic. Opioids can depress the respiratory rate, and an increased respiratory rate may persist even after pain relief is achieved. Therefore, an increased respiratory rate alone does not necessarily indicate a decrease in pain.
D. The client is diaphoretic.
The client is diaphoretic. Diaphoresis (excessive sweating) can occur for various reasons, including pain, fever, anxiety, or side effects of medications. While it is essential to assess for signs of discomfort or distress, diaphoresis alone is not a specific indicator of pain relief. It is possible for a client to be diaphoretic even when pain relief has been achieved.