Pain Types & Assessment
This type of pain occurs suddenly after tissue injury and resolves as healing occurs.
What is acute pain?
Therapy that relaxes muscles and increases circulation before mobility exercises.
What is heat therapy?
This class of medications includes acetaminophen and NSAIDs.
What are non-opioids?
Regularly performing this ensures pain is safely managed and mobility is optimized.
What is pain assessment?
A post-op patient rates pain 8/10. What is the first step before ambulating?
What is assess pain and evaluate interventions?
Pain from nerve injury, often described as burning, shooting, or tingling.
What is neuropathic pain?
Therapy that decreases inflammation and numbs localized pain, often after activity.
What is cold therapy?
Morphine and hydromorphone belong to this class.
What are opioids?
Educating patients about safe medication use and fall precautions falls under this nursing responsibility.
What is patient teaching?
A child is crying and pointing to their arm. Which pain scale is most appropriate?
What is the Wong-Baker FACES scale?
Pain originating from skin, muscles, bones, or connective tissue.
What is somatic pain?
Using pillows, splints, or braces to reduce pressure and enhance comfort.
What is positioning/support?
Medications such as gabapentin or certain antidepressants are classified as this.
What are adjuvant medications?
Documenting pain intensity, location, quality, and patient response is part of this.
What is accurate documentation?
A patient reports burning leg pain from neuropathy. Which class of medication might be most effective?
What are adjuvant medications (e.g., gabapentin)?
The numeric scale from 0–10 is known by this abbreviation.
What is the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)?
Techniques including deep breathing, guided imagery, or progressive muscle relaxation.
What are relaxation techniques?
A common side effect of opioids that increases fall risk.
What is sedation?
Pain that prevents a patient from participating in physical therapy demonstrates the importance of this concept.
What is pain as a barrier to mobility?
After opioid administration, a patient feels dizzy and requests to walk. What should the nurse do?
What is assist with mobility using safety precautions?
This observational scale assesses Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability for non-verbal patients.
What is the FLACC scale?
A distraction method that can help patients cope with pain.
What is music therapy?
NSAIDs are effective for pain and inflammation but increase risk of this gastrointestinal complication.
What is GI bleeding?
Combining safe mobility with effective pain management addresses this dual priority in patient care.
What is comfort and safety?
A patient refuses opioid therapy but reports severe post-op pain. Name two alternative interventions the nurse can use.
What are non-pharmacologic interventions or non-opioid medications?