A 40-year-old client is seen at the clinic with a headache and blurred vision that comes and goes. The client reports a pain of a 6 on a scale from 0–10. What question should the nurse ask to obtain more information about the pattern of the pain?
"What makes your pain better?"
"How long have these episodes been occurring?"
"What other symptoms are you experiencing during these episodes?"
"When did the pain begin?"
The Correct Answer is B
A. Asking what makes the pain better helps determine relief measures but does not specifically address the pattern of occurrence.
B. Asking how long these episodes have been occurring helps identify the pattern of the pain, including its frequency and duration, which is important for diagnosing chronic or recurrent conditions such as migraines or hypertension-related headaches.
C. Asking about other symptoms helps assess associated conditions but does not directly focus on the pattern of the pain.
D. Asking when the pain began helps determine onset but does not provide insight into its recurrence or fluctuation over time.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. A 3-year-old with fever, rash, and sore throat should be evaluated promptly, but these symptoms do not necessarily indicate an immediate life-threatening emergency.
B. A 45-year-old man with chest pain and diaphoresis for 1 hour is the priority because these are classic symptoms of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or myocardial infarction (MI). Immediate emergency assessment and intervention are required.
C. A 14-year-old girl crying about a possible pregnancy needs emotional support and counseling but does not require immediate emergency intervention.
D. A 20-year-old man with a 3-inch shallow laceration on his leg needs wound care, but his condition is not life-threatening and does not require emergency assessment.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. Malignancy can cause abdominal pain, but it does not typically present with acute sharp pain and involuntary guarding.
B. Aneurysms, particularly abdominal aortic aneurysms, may present with a pulsatile mass and deep, dull pain rather than sharp pain and guarding.
C. Hernias can cause pain, but they typically present with a bulging mass that increases with straining, not sharp pain with reflex guarding.
D. Peritonitis is correct because it causes severe abdominal pain, involuntary guarding, and rebound tenderness due to inflammation of the peritoneum. Reflex guarding is a protective mechanism indicating peritoneal irritation.
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