Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

What is considered a primary strategy for managing chronic pain?

1. Electrical stimulation

2. Spinal implants

3. Patient administered analgesia

4. Exercise and conditioning

The correct answer is: Exercise and conditioning

The correct choice highlights that exercise and conditioning are recognized as a primary strategy for managing chronic pain. This approach focuses on enhancing physical function, improving strength, flexibility, and overall fitness levels, which are essential in alleviating pain symptoms. Engaging in regular exercise can lead to the release of endorphins, the body's natural pain relievers, and contribute to better physical and emotional well-being. Incorporating exercise into treatment plans offers a multifaceted approach to pain management. It not only addresses physical factors but can also have positive effects on mental health, reducing anxiety and depression often associated with chronic pain conditions. Additionally, exercise routines can be tailored to individual capabilities, ensuring exercises are safe and effective which further promotes adherence and long-term benefits. Other strategies, such as electrical stimulation or spinal implants, may be utilized in specific cases but are not as universally applicable or foundational as exercise. Patient-administered analgesia, while effective for immediate pain relief, does not address the underlying physical issues that chronic pain may present. Thus, exercise and conditioning stand out as a comprehensive and essential method for long-term management of chronic pain.