Acute Traumatic Pain Assessment and Management Pre-Test

1. Which of the following is considered a pharmacological means to control a patient's pain?

Distraction

Hypnosis

Acupressure

Oral analgesics

“Pharmacological means” used in pain control refers to all medications. These would include oral medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as well as IV/IM and intranasal meds such as fentanyl is another pharmacological means for treating pain. The other choices above represent non-pharmacological means of pain control.

Explanation

“Pharmacological means” used in pain control refers to all medications. These would include oral medications, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, as well as IV/IM and intranasal meds such as fentanyl is another pharmacological means for treating pain. The other choices above represent non-pharmacological means of pain control.

2. What is a long-term benefit of pain control for pediatric patients?

Decreased incidence of post-traumatic stress

Increased long-term sequelae in children

Increase the development of hypersensitized pain pathways

There are no long-term benefits noted for pediatric patients

Additional long-term benefits of pain control in pediatric patients include a decrease in long-term sequelae in children and a decrease in the development of hypersensitized pain pathways in children.

Explanation

Additional long-term benefits of pain control in pediatric patients include a decrease in long-term sequelae in children and a decrease in the development of hypersensitized pain pathways in children.

3. Which narcotic pain medication typically causes less respiratory depression?

Morphine

Fentanyl

Acetaminophen

NSAIDS

Fentanyl causes less respiratory depression than morphine. Acetaminophen and NSAIDS are non-narcotic analgesics.

Explanation

Fentanyl causes less respiratory depression than morphine. Acetaminophen and NSAIDS are non-narcotic analgesics.

4. Which of the following would be considered a contraindication to administering pain medication to a pediatric patient?

Glascow Coma Score

Normal blood pressure

Patients under the age of 10

Pediatric trauma patients

Any decreased mental status is a contraindication to receiving pain medication. Another reason not to administer pain medication is if there is a true allergy to the medication known.

Explanation

Any decreased mental status is a contraindication to receiving pain medication. Another reason not to administer pain medication is if there is a true allergy to the medication known.

5. Which of the following is considered an immediate benefit of pain control and additionally provides a calming effect?

Administering the pain medication immediately

Patient’s vital signs remain the same

Doing a patient assessment quickly

Improvement in the patient’s respiratory effort

Improvement in the patient’s respiratory effort is an immediate benefit for noting better control of the patient’s pain level. It may or may not be good that the patient’s vital signs remain the same. It is important that the vital signs improve to within normal limits for that patient. As much as you want to administer the medication quickly, it does not always improve the pain or discomfort. Likewise, conducting a patient assessment quickly is a good thing; however, it may not improve the patient’s condition.

Explanation

Improvement in the patient’s respiratory effort is an immediate benefit for noting better control of the patient’s pain level. It may or may not be good that the patient’s vital signs remain the same. It is important that the vital signs improve to within normal limits for that patient. As much as you want to administer the medication quickly, it does not always improve the pain or discomfort. Likewise, conducting a patient assessment quickly is a good thing; however, it may not improve the patient’s condition.

6. Which pain scale is appropriate for a 3-year-old patient?

FLACC or CHEOPS

Self-report scale such as FPS-revised

Self-report scale such as Wong-Baker FACES®

Self-report scale such as NRS

Age 12 yrs: Self-report scale such as NRS

Explanation

Age 12 yrs: Self-report scale such as NRS

7. Which of the following is considered a barrier to pain management in the prehospital environment?

Ability to assess pain

High pain score

Difficult vascular access

Immediate transport

The others are not considered barriers. In addition there are other barriers including: Fear of complications; Record keeping; Other care adequate; Perception of possible drug seeking; Not familiar with dosing; Criticism from hospital; Short transport time.

Explanation

The others are not considered barriers. In addition there are other barriers including: Fear of complications; Record keeping; Other care adequate; Perception of possible drug seeking; Not familiar with dosing; Criticism from hospital; Short transport time.

8. Which of the following would be considered a means to overcome pain management barriers?

Offline protocols

Training on medication administering

Start an IV in children immediately

Less medical oversight

Offline protocols dealing with treating the pediatric patient’s pain is one means to overcome barriers to pain. Others include: Training (specific to assessing); Ability to administer pain medication without the need to first start an IV in children; Medical support and oversight; Coordination with and education of receiving facilities.

Explanation

Offline protocols dealing with treating the pediatric patient’s pain is one means to overcome barriers to pain. Others include: Training (specific to assessing); Ability to administer pain medication without the need to first start an IV in children; Medical support and oversight; Coordination with and education of receiving facilities.

9. What percentage of patients in the pre-hospital environment complain of pain?

100%

80%

50%

20%

20% of the calls EMS respond are for painful conditions. Another way to put it is 1 out of every 5 patients have a painful condition.

Explanation

20% of the calls EMS respond are for painful conditions. Another way to put it is 1 out of every 5 patients have a painful condition.

10. Which of the following route is NOT a means to administer fentanyl?

Transmucosal

Intravenous

Intramuscular

Intranasal

Fentanyl is not administered by the intramuscular route. The least common route is transdermal.

Explanation

Fentanyl is not administered by the intramuscular route. The least common route is transdermal.

Acute Traumatic Pain Assessment And Management Pre-test