The nurse is caring for a patient who is having a heart attack. The patient tells the nurse that the pain is down his left arm rather than in his chest. What type of pain is the patient experiencing?
Chronic
Psychogenic
Referred
Peripheral
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Chronic pain is not a type of pain, but a duration of pain. Chronic pain is pain that lasts longer than six months, regardless of the cause or location. It can affect the patient's physical and mental health, as well as their quality of life.
Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Psychogenic pain is not a type of pain, but a source of pain. Psychogenic pain is pain that is caused or influenced by psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or trauma. It can affect any part of the body, but it is not related to the patient's heart attack.
Choice C reason: This is correct. Referred pain is pain that is felt in a different location from the actual source of pain. It occurs when the nerve fibers from different parts of the body converge in the spinal cord or brain. The patient's pain is down his left arm rather than in his chest because the heart and the arm share some nerve pathways.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Peripheral pain is pain that is caused by damage or dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It can cause sensations of numbness, tingling, burning, or shooting pain in the affected area. It is not related to the patient's heart attack.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because suggesting having warm milk with a shot of whisky before going to bed is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Warm milk may have some soothing effects on the patient, but adding whisky to it may counteract the benefits and worsen the insomnia. Alcohol is a depressant that can make the patient feel sleepy at first, but it can also disrupt the sleep cycle and cause frequent awakenings, nightmares, or hangovers.
Choice B reason: This is an incorrect choice because obtaining a prescription for zolpidem to be taken at bedtime is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Zolpidem is a hypnotic drug that can induce sleep and improve the sleep quality and quantity of the patient, but it can also have many side effects and interactions, and cause dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. Zolpidem should be used only as a short-term treatment for insomnia, and only under the supervision of a physician.
Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because recommending the use of sleep aids such as triazolam is not an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine drug that can enhance the activity of GABA, a neurotransmitter that inhibits brain activity and promotes sleep. However, it can also have many side effects and interactions, and cause dependence, tolerance, or withdrawal. Triazolam should be used only as a short-term treatment for insomnia, and only under the supervision of a physician.
Choice D reason: This is the correct choice because encouraging the patient to practice peaceful meditation before bedtime is an appropriate intervention to treat ongoing insomnia for a middle-aged adult with a busy career. Meditation is a relaxation technique that can reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, and promote calmness, mindfulness, and well-being. Meditation can help the patient to fall asleep faster and sleep better, and it does not have any adverse effects or risks. The nurse should teach the patient how to meditate and encourage the patient to practice it regularly.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Hydromorphone 0.5 mg IV is not the best option for providing consistent control of the patient's chronic pain. Hydromorphone is a potent opioid analgesic that can relieve severe pain, but it has a short duration of action. It is given intravenously, which means it has a rapid onset and peak, but also a rapid decline and elimination. The patient may experience fluctuations in pain relief and need frequent doses.
Choice B reason: This is correct. Fentanyl transdermal patch 25 mcg is the best option for providing consistent control of the patient's chronic pain. Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic that can relieve severe pain, but it has a long duration of action. It is given transdermally, which means it is absorbed through the skin and released slowly and steadily into the bloodstream. The patient may experience continuous and stable pain relief and need less frequent doses.
Choice C reason: This is incorrect. Fentanyl oral lozenge 200 mcg is not the best option for providing consistent control of the patient's chronic pain. Fentanyl is a potent opioid analgesic that can relieve severe pain, but it has a short duration of action. It is given orally, which means it has to pass through the digestive system and the liver before reaching the bloodstream. The patient may experience delayed and variable pain relief and need frequent doses.
Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Morphine sulfate liquid 10 mg is not the best option for providing consistent control of the patient's chronic pain. Morphine is a moderate opioid analgesic that can relieve moderate to severe pain, but it has a short duration of action. It is given orally, which means it has to pass through the digestive system and the liver before reaching the bloodstream. The patient may experience delayed and variable pain relief and need frequent doses.
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