Question

The nurse works in a postsurgical ward. Which statements by the nurse indicate common misconceptions about pain? Select all that apply.

Option 1: Psychogenic pain is not real.
Option 2: Chronic pain is not psychological.
Option 3: Patients who cannot speak can feel pain.
Option 4: Administering analgesics regularly leads to drug addiction.
Option 5: Patients who abuse substances overreact to discomfort.

Answer 1

Misconceptions about pain among nurses include doubts about the validity of psychogenic pain, misunderstandings about the psychological aspects of chronic pain, fears of addiction from administering analgesics, and stereotypes regarding substance abusers' responses to pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statements by the nurse that indicate common misconceptions about pain include:

• Psychogenic pain is not real.
• Chronic pain is not psychological.
• Administering analgesics regularly leads to drug addiction.
• Patients who abuse substances overreact to discomfort.

These misconceptions fail to recognize the complex biological, psychological, and social factors involved in pain. While psychogenic pain originates from psychological factors, it is a genuine type of pain. Chronic pain can have psychological components, and regular use of analgesics, particularly opioids, carries a risk of dependence but is not synonymous with addiction when managed properly. Substance abuse patients may have different pain responses but should not be dismissed as exaggerating their discomfort.