A client who is recovering from a lower extremity amputation complains of tingling and "shooting" pain in the amputated extremity. The nurse knows that which of the following is true about this type of pain?
The pain comes from severed blood vessels in the residual stump.
It is psychosomatic pain that the patient is just imagining.
It is often treated with adjunct medications such as antiepileptics and antidepressants.
It is somatic pain that always responds well to opioid medications.
The Correct Answer is C
A. The pain does not come from severed blood vessels in the residual stump. Phantom limb pain is not caused by the stump itself but rather by the brain’s perception of the missing limb.
B. Phantom limb pain is not psychosomatic. It is a real phenomenon where the brain continues to receive signals from nerves that were previously connected to the amputated limb.
C. Phantom limb pain is often treated with adjunct medications such as antiepileptics (e.g., gabapentin) and antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), which help modify the way the brain processes pain signals.
D. While opioid medications can be used for pain management, phantom limb pain often does not respond well to opioids. It typically requires a combination of other treatments, such as those mentioned in C.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. While impaired perineal skin integrity is a concern due to frequent diarrhea, it is not the priority because it does not pose an immediate threat to the client’s overall health or survival.
B. Protein-calorie malnutrition is a long-term risk associated with Crohn’s disease but is less critical during an acute exacerbation compared to immediate risks like fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
C. Although pain related to abdominal cramping is a significant concern, addressing pain does not take precedence over life-threatening risks such as dehydration or electrolyte disturbances.
D. Fluid and electrolyte imbalance is the priority because severe diarrhea can rapidly lead to dehydration, hypovolemia, and electrolyte imbalances, which can cause life-threatening complications such as cardiac arrhythmias or shock.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Ascending muscle weakness is more characteristic of hypokalemia (low potassium levels) rather than hypernatremia.
B. Muscle tetany and hyperreflexia are typically seen in hypocalcemia (low calcium levels) or hypomagnesemia (low magnesium levels), not hypernatremia.
C. Hypernatremia (high sodium levels) commonly causes dehydration, which results in poor skin turgor and dry mucous membranes. This is a key clinical sign of hypernatremia.
D. Bradycardia and hypotension are more commonly associated with hypovolemia (low blood volume) or hypotension, but they are not specific to hypernatremia.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.