Certified Hospice and Palliative Assistant (CHPNA) Practice Test

What is commonly observed in patients with serious mental illness regarding pain perception?

1. Increased sensitivity to pain

2. Heightened awareness of pain management options

3. Lack of understanding of pain levels

4. Undertreatment of pain

The correct answer is: Undertreatment of pain

Patients with serious mental illness often experience undertreatment of pain. This occurs due to various factors, including healthcare providers' assumptions or biases about the patients' ability to accurately report pain, potential stigma associated with mental illness, and difficulties in communication and expression of symptoms by the patients themselves. As a result, the complex interplay between mental health issues and the perception of pain can lead to inadequate relief measures. Healthcare professionals may also prioritize mental health symptoms over pain management, resulting in a lack of comprehensive care. This is a critical issue in providing holistic care, as effective pain management is essential for improving the overall quality of life in these patients. The other options do not accurately reflect the typical experiences of patients with serious mental health issues and do not align with the trends observed in clinical practice. Increased sensitivity to pain, for example, is not a universally applicable characteristic and varies significantly among individuals. Heightened awareness of pain management options is more likely in individuals without mental health concerns who actively seek treatment. Lastly, while some individuals may struggle to understand their pain levels due to cognitive impairments, this is not as universally recognized as the problem of pain undertreatment in this patient population.