RN Exam Practice
Pharmacological and Parenteral TherapiesQuestion 2236 of 2368

A client reports sudden severe acute pain rated 9 out of 10 after an injury. Based on the WHO analgesic ladder concept, which approach is appropriate?

  1. Start with a nonopioid analgesic and move up to opioids one step at a time
  2. Give only nonpharmacological treatments first and add medication later if needed
  3. Start with an adjuvant medication and add opioids only if pain lasts 24 hours
  4. Start with the strongest analgesic indicated for the severity, then tone it down
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Correct answer: Start with the strongest analgesic indicated for the severity, then tone it down

For acute pain, the strongest analgesic indicated for the severity is the first therapy and is later toned down. A stepwise approach is for chronic pain.

Source: Nursing Pharmacology, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Analgesics & Musculoskeletal System: WHO Ladder. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026