Nonpharmacologic Pain And Comfort Measures - NCLEX-PN
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Which patient finding is a contraindication to applying heat directly to an area?
Which patient finding is a contraindication to applying heat directly to an area?
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Decreased sensation or impaired circulation in the area. Such conditions heighten burn risk as patients cannot sense or adequately perfuse heat-exposed tissues.
Decreased sensation or impaired circulation in the area. Such conditions heighten burn risk as patients cannot sense or adequately perfuse heat-exposed tissues.
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What is the primary goal of guided imagery as a pain and comfort measure?
What is the primary goal of guided imagery as a pain and comfort measure?
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Shift attention and decrease anxiety to reduce pain. Guided imagery fosters relaxation, interrupting the cycle of anxiety-amplified pain perception.
Shift attention and decrease anxiety to reduce pain. Guided imagery fosters relaxation, interrupting the cycle of anxiety-amplified pain perception.
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Which pain scale is most appropriate for a nonverbal adult who can follow commands?
Which pain scale is most appropriate for a nonverbal adult who can follow commands?
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FLACC or Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS). These observational scales evaluate behavioral cues for pain in patients unable to verbalize but responsive to commands.
FLACC or Behavioral Pain Scale (BPS). These observational scales evaluate behavioral cues for pain in patients unable to verbalize but responsive to commands.
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Which pain scale is best for a cognitively intact adult who can self-report pain?
Which pain scale is best for a cognitively intact adult who can self-report pain?
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Numeric rating scale (0–10) or visual analog scale. Self-report scales enable accurate quantification of subjective pain experiences in capable individuals.
Numeric rating scale (0–10) or visual analog scale. Self-report scales enable accurate quantification of subjective pain experiences in capable individuals.
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What does the PQRST framework assess when evaluating pain?
What does the PQRST framework assess when evaluating pain?
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Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing. PQRST systematically captures essential pain details to inform diagnosis and tailored management strategies.
Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Timing. PQRST systematically captures essential pain details to inform diagnosis and tailored management strategies.
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Which nonpharmacologic comfort measure is first-line for acute musculoskeletal injury in the first 24–48 hours?
Which nonpharmacologic comfort measure is first-line for acute musculoskeletal injury in the first 24–48 hours?
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Cold therapy (ice) to reduce swelling and pain. Cold application is prioritized initially to minimize inflammation and numb acute injury sites effectively.
Cold therapy (ice) to reduce swelling and pain. Cold application is prioritized initially to minimize inflammation and numb acute injury sites effectively.
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What is the primary physiologic effect of cold therapy on injured tissue?
What is the primary physiologic effect of cold therapy on injured tissue?
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Vasoconstriction with decreased edema and nerve conduction. Cold induces local vasoconstriction, limiting fluid accumulation and slowing pain signal transmission.
Vasoconstriction with decreased edema and nerve conduction. Cold induces local vasoconstriction, limiting fluid accumulation and slowing pain signal transmission.
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Which nonpharmacologic measure is generally preferred for muscle spasm or stiffness after the acute phase?
Which nonpharmacologic measure is generally preferred for muscle spasm or stiffness after the acute phase?
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Heat therapy to promote relaxation and circulation. Heat is used post-acute phase to alleviate persistent muscle tension through enhanced circulation.
Heat therapy to promote relaxation and circulation. Heat is used post-acute phase to alleviate persistent muscle tension through enhanced circulation.
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What is the primary physiologic effect of heat therapy on soft tissue?
What is the primary physiologic effect of heat therapy on soft tissue?
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Vasodilation with increased blood flow and muscle relaxation. Heat promotes vasodilation, improving nutrient delivery and reducing muscle stiffness.
Vasodilation with increased blood flow and muscle relaxation. Heat promotes vasodilation, improving nutrient delivery and reducing muscle stiffness.
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Which patient finding is a contraindication to applying cold directly to an area?
Which patient finding is a contraindication to applying cold directly to an area?
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Poor peripheral circulation or cold hypersensitivity. These factors increase risks of tissue ischemia or adverse reactions like Raynaud's exacerbation.
Poor peripheral circulation or cold hypersensitivity. These factors increase risks of tissue ischemia or adverse reactions like Raynaud's exacerbation.
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Identify the safest nursing action when applying heat or cold therapy to prevent injury.
Identify the safest nursing action when applying heat or cold therapy to prevent injury.
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Use a protective barrier and check skin frequently. Protective measures and monitoring prevent thermal injuries by ensuring safe application durations.
Use a protective barrier and check skin frequently. Protective measures and monitoring prevent thermal injuries by ensuring safe application durations.
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What position-related intervention best reduces pain from abdominal surgery while moving or coughing?
What position-related intervention best reduces pain from abdominal surgery while moving or coughing?
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Splint the incision with a pillow or folded blanket. Splinting supports the surgical site, reducing tension and discomfort during abdominal movements.
Splint the incision with a pillow or folded blanket. Splinting supports the surgical site, reducing tension and discomfort during abdominal movements.
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Which positioning intervention best reduces dyspnea-related discomfort in a stable adult?
Which positioning intervention best reduces dyspnea-related discomfort in a stable adult?
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High Fowler position to maximize lung expansion. Upright positioning optimizes diaphragmatic movement and lung volume for easier breathing.
High Fowler position to maximize lung expansion. Upright positioning optimizes diaphragmatic movement and lung volume for easier breathing.
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What nonpharmacologic intervention helps prevent pressure-injury pain in a bedbound patient?
What nonpharmacologic intervention helps prevent pressure-injury pain in a bedbound patient?
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Reposition at least every 2 hours with pressure relief. Frequent repositioning redistributes pressure, preventing ischemia and subsequent painful ulcers.
Reposition at least every 2 hours with pressure relief. Frequent repositioning redistributes pressure, preventing ischemia and subsequent painful ulcers.
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Which nursing action is most appropriate to reduce low back strain discomfort while in bed?
Which nursing action is most appropriate to reduce low back strain discomfort while in bed?
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Place a pillow under knees to reduce lumbar strain. Knee support maintains spinal alignment, alleviating pressure on lumbar structures.
Place a pillow under knees to reduce lumbar strain. Knee support maintains spinal alignment, alleviating pressure on lumbar structures.
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What is the best nonpharmacologic technique to reduce pain during a brief procedure (for example, injection)?
What is the best nonpharmacologic technique to reduce pain during a brief procedure (for example, injection)?
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Guided slow breathing with focused relaxation. Controlled breathing activates parasympathetic responses, diminishing acute pain perception.
Guided slow breathing with focused relaxation. Controlled breathing activates parasympathetic responses, diminishing acute pain perception.
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Which intervention is an example of distraction to reduce pain perception?
Which intervention is an example of distraction to reduce pain perception?
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Music, conversation, TV, imagery, or engaging activity. Distraction techniques redirect cognitive focus, reducing the brain's processing of pain signals.
Music, conversation, TV, imagery, or engaging activity. Distraction techniques redirect cognitive focus, reducing the brain's processing of pain signals.
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Which nonpharmacologic intervention uses touch to decrease muscle tension and promote comfort?
Which nonpharmacologic intervention uses touch to decrease muscle tension and promote comfort?
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Massage (if no contraindications such as DVT or open skin). Therapeutic touch from massage enhances circulation and endorphin release for tension relief.
Massage (if no contraindications such as DVT or open skin). Therapeutic touch from massage enhances circulation and endorphin release for tension relief.
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Which condition is a key contraindication to massaging an extremity?
Which condition is a key contraindication to massaging an extremity?
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Suspected or confirmed deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Massage risks dislodging clots in DVT, potentially causing pulmonary embolism.
Suspected or confirmed deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Massage risks dislodging clots in DVT, potentially causing pulmonary embolism.
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Identify the key safety precaution before using TENS on a patient with an implanted cardiac device.
Identify the key safety precaution before using TENS on a patient with an implanted cardiac device.
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Avoid use unless specifically approved by the provider. Electrical interference from TENS could disrupt implanted devices, necessitating provider approval.
Avoid use unless specifically approved by the provider. Electrical interference from TENS could disrupt implanted devices, necessitating provider approval.
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Which environmental change most directly promotes comfort and reduces pain-related stress in hospitalized patients?
Which environmental change most directly promotes comfort and reduces pain-related stress in hospitalized patients?
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Decrease noise and light; cluster care to promote rest. Minimizing stimuli and disruptions creates a restful environment, enhancing pain coping mechanisms.
Decrease noise and light; cluster care to promote rest. Minimizing stimuli and disruptions creates a restful environment, enhancing pain coping mechanisms.
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Which nonpharmacologic intervention provides support and reduces swelling-related pain in an injured limb?
Which nonpharmacologic intervention provides support and reduces swelling-related pain in an injured limb?
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Elevation of the affected extremity above heart level. Elevation promotes gravitational drainage, reducing edema and pressure on pained tissues.
Elevation of the affected extremity above heart level. Elevation promotes gravitational drainage, reducing edema and pressure on pained tissues.
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Which option best describes the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain?
Which option best describes the use of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain?
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Low-voltage stimulation to modulate pain signaling. TENS applies electrical impulses to gate pain signals and stimulate endorphin production.
Low-voltage stimulation to modulate pain signaling. TENS applies electrical impulses to gate pain signals and stimulate endorphin production.
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