pain management

Question 1

Which of the following pain scales would be useful to use with a patient that is
awake but intubated to assess their pain level?
o A. Numeric Rating Scale
o B. Visual Analogue Scale
o C. Wong-Baker Faces scale
D. FLACC Scale

Answer 1

Wong-Baker Faces scale

Question 2

A patient reports sharp, localized pain in their lower back that has lasted for two
days. What type of pain is this likely to be?
o A. Chronic pain
o B. Neuropathic pain
o C. Acute nociceptive pain
o D. Referred pain

Answer 2

B. Neuropathic pain

Question 3

When assessing a patient’s pain, which characteristic is NOT part of a thorough
pain assessment?
o A. Location
o B. Intensity
o C. Patient’s favorite activities
o D. Quality

Answer 3

C. Patient’s favorite activities

Question 4

Which of the following conditions is MOST commonly associated with chronic pain?
o A. Appendicitis
o B. Diabetic neuropathy
o C. Acute muscle strain
o D. Migraine

Answer 4

B. Diabetic neuropathy

Question 5

Postherpetic neuralgia is an example of what type of pain?
o A. Nociceptive pain
o B. Neuropathic pain
o C. Visceral pain
o D. Somatic pain

Answer 5

B. Neuropathic pain

Question 6

Osteoarthritis typically causes which kind of pain?
o A. Neuropathic pain
o B. Visceral pain
o C. Musculoskeletal pain
o D. Radicular pain

Answer 6

C. Musculoskeletal pain**

Question 7

Which of the following is considered a first-line non-pharmacological approach for
managing chronic musculoskeletal pain?
o A. Nerve block
o B. Physical therapy
o C. Acupuncture
o D. Corticosteroid injection

Answer 7

B. Physical therapy **

Question 8

Muscle relaxants, such as cyclobenzaprine, are primarily indicated for which type of
pain?
o A. Neuropathic pain
o B. Inflammatory pain
o C. Musculoskeletal pain
o D. Visceral pain

Answer 8

C. Musculoskeletal pain

Question 9

What is the purpose of interventional pain management techniques, such as nerve
blocks?
o A. To completely cure chronic pain
o B. To reduce pain and improve function
o C. To provide psychological support
o D. To eliminate the need for medication

Answer 9

B. To reduce pain and improve function

Question 10

What is the recommended first step in the management of mechanical back pain?
o A. Immediate surgical intervention
o B. Imaging studies such as MRI
o C. Conservative treatment (e.g., physical therapy, NSAIDs)
o D. Referral to a pain specialist

Answer 10

C. Conservative treatment (e.g., physical therapy, NSAIDs)

Question 11

In fibromyalgia, which of the following is considered a core symptom?
o A. Joint swelling
o B. Chronic widespread pain
o C. Fever
o D. Localized muscle cramps

Answer 11

B. Chronic widespread pain

Question 12

Which diagnostic tool is commonly used to evaluate the structural causes of neck
pain?
o A. X-ray
o B. Ultrasound
o C. Electromyography (EMG)
o D. PET scan

Answer 12

o A. X-ray

Question 13

What is the primary benefit of using opioids in pain management?
o A. Treatment of neuropathic pain
o B. Long-term safety
o C. Effective relief of severe acute and cancer-related pain
o D. Prevention of chronic pain development

Answer 13

C. Effective relief of severe acute and cancer-related pain

Question 14

14. When tapering opioids, what is the general recommendation for reducing the dose?
    o A. Decrease by 50% per week
    o B. Decrease by 10% per month
    o C. Decrease by 5-10% per week
    o D. Discontinue abruptly

Answer 14

C. Decrease by 5-10% per week

Question 15

Which of the following is a red flag for potential opioid misuse?
o A. Requesting refills early
o B. Reporting breakthrough pain
o C. Asking about side effects
o D. Trying non-opioid treatments

Answer 15

o A. Requesting refills early