RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)
Medical & Surgical Nursing
Easy

Meditation is an example of pain management by?

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Explanation

  • Meditation is a mind-body practice that helps manage pain without the use of any medications.
  • It is classified as a non-pharmacological intervention, which utilizes mental and physical techniques to alter pain perception and promote relaxation.
  • Other examples of non-pharmacological methods include yoga, massage, acupuncture, and guided imagery.
  • Meditation works by promoting relaxation, distracting the patient from the sensation of pain, and engaging neural pathways that can reduce overall pain sensitivity.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are a class of medication, making them a pharmacological measure. Meditation does not involve any drugs.
  • Option B: This is a broad category that refers to any pain management strategy involving medications. Since meditation is a drug-free technique, it is the opposite of a pharmacological measure.
  • Option C: Opioids are a specific class of strong pain-relieving medications (e.g., morphine). They are a pharmacological intervention, not a mind-body technique like meditation.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
  • Visual 1: Infographic: A chart categorizing pain management strategies into two main branches: Pharmacological (Opioids, Non-opioids/NSAIDs) and Non-pharmacological (Cognitive-behavioral, Physical therapies), with examples like meditation shown under the cognitive-behavioral branch.
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of Pain Management Interventions as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Nurses should advocate for and implement an integrated approach to pain management, combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to achieve better pain control and minimize the side effects of medications.
  • Patient education is a key nursing role. Teaching patients about non-pharmacological techniques like meditation, deep breathing, and distraction empowers them to take an active role in managing their own pain.
  • What if? If the patient was experiencing severe, acute post-operative pain (e.g., rated 9/10), the priority would shift to pharmacological measures like opioids for immediate and effective relief. Non-pharmacological methods like meditation could then be introduced as a complementary therapy to help reduce anxiety and improve comfort, but not as the primary intervention.
How to Approach the Question
  • First, identify the key term in the question stem: 'Meditation'.
  • Recall or determine the definition of meditation in a clinical context. It is a mind-body practice focused on attention and awareness, which does not involve any substance or drug.
  • Next, analyze the options provided. They represent different categories and types of pain management.
  • Categorize each option: 'NSAIDs' and 'Opioids' are specific classes of drugs, which fall under the broader category of 'Pharmacological measures'. 'Non-pharmacological measures' is the category for therapies that do not use drugs.
  • Match the key term 'Meditation' to the correct category. Since it is a drug-free technique, it correctly fits into 'Non-pharmacological measures'.
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Classification of Pain Management Interventions
  • Stem keywords: Meditation, pain management
  • Lead-in keywords: example of

Question ID

QUm_7jqwoz1HDnecqZj0ZK

Practise the full RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

More Pain Management Questions

More RRB Nsg. Superintendent-21 July 2019 (Shift-2nd) Questions