1. Which neurotransmitter is primarily involved in the descending inhibitory pain pathway originating from the periaqueductal gray matter?
2. A patient describes a burning, shooting, and tingling pain in their diabetic foot. This is characteristic of which type of pain?
3. According to the WHO analgesic ladder, what is the first-line treatment for mild pain (NRS 1-3)?
4. What is the most common and persistent side effect of chronic opioid therapy?
5. The Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale is most appropriate for which patient population?
6. The primary mechanism of action of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) is the inhibition of which enzyme?
7. Which class of medication is commonly used as an adjuvant analgesic for neuropathic pain, particularly diabetic neuropathy and postherpetic neuralgia?
8. A patient presents with pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression, and unresponsiveness after a suspected opioid overdose. Which medication should be administered immediately?
9. The phenomenon where a normally non-painful stimulus, such as light touch, is perceived as painful is known as:
10. What is the cornerstone of managing moderate to severe chronic cancer pain, according to most guidelines?
11. Which type of nerve fibers are responsible for transmitting sharp, well-localized, ‘first’ pain?
12. Overdose of paracetamol (acetaminophen) can lead to severe hepatotoxicity. What is the specific antidote used to treat this condition?
13. A patient on a stable long-acting opioid regimen experiences transient, severe flares of pain. This is best described as:
14. Which pain assessment tool evaluates the sensory, affective, and evaluative dimensions of pain?
15. A patient’s cancer pain is no longer controlled with codeine and paracetamol. According to the WHO analgesic ladder, what is the next appropriate step?
16. When converting a patient from oral morphine to parenteral (IV/SC) morphine, the dose of parenteral morphine is typically what fraction of the oral dose?
17. Gabapentin and pregabalin exert their analgesic effect in neuropathic pain by binding to:
18. Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) is thought to relieve pain primarily through which mechanism?
19. Which statement is TRUE regarding pain management in the elderly?
20. Pain that is poorly localized, deep, dull, and often associated with autonomic symptoms (nausea, sweating) is characteristic of which type?
21. The practice of switching from one opioid to another to improve analgesia or reduce adverse effects is known as:
22. Which medication acts as an NMDA receptor antagonist and is used for complex neuropathic and opioid-refractory pain?
23. Compared to traditional NSAIDs, selective COX-2 inhibitors (e.g., celecoxib) were developed to reduce the risk of which major side effect?
24. What is a key safety feature of a Patient-Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump to prevent overdose?
25. In palliative care, for a terminally ill patient with refractory pain and suffering at the end of life, which intervention might be considered?
