A nurse is caring for a child who has been experiencing pain for the past few months.
The child appears tired, has a decreased appetite, and has been withdrawing from activities.
The nurse understands that these are common signs of a specific type of pain.
Which of the following statements would be most appropriate for the nurse to say?
“This child is likely experiencing acute pain.”..
“This child is likely experiencing nociceptive pain.”..
“This child is likely experiencing neuropathic pain.”..
“This child is likely experiencing chronic pain.”..
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale:
Acute pain is usually associated with a recent injury or illness, and it is of short duration.
The child in the scenario has been experiencing pain for the past few months, which indicates a more prolonged pain experience.
Acute pain typically serves as a warning sign of a new or ongoing injury or issue, but in this case, the pain has become chronic.
Choice B rationale:
Nociceptive pain is the result of the stimulation of nociceptors by tissue damage or inflammation.
While it can be acute or chronic, the description of the child's symptoms, such as being tired, having a decreased appetite, and withdrawing from activities for the past few months, suggests a pain that goes beyond the typical characteristics of nociceptive pain.
Therefore, this choice is not the most appropriate.
Choice C rationale:
Neuropathic pain is typically characterized by sensations like burning, tingling, or shooting pain, often due to nerve damage.
The child's symptoms, such as tiredness, decreased appetite, and withdrawal from activities, do not align with the typical presentation of neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain is more often associated with conditions like diabetic neuropathy or nerve compression.
Choice D rationale:
Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts for an extended period, typically more than three months.
The child's experience of pain for the past few months and the associated symptoms of tiredness, decreased appetite, and withdrawal from activities are indicative of chronic pain.
This choice is the most appropriate because it aligns with the child's clinical presentation.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
This response is correct.
The nurse is describing acute pain, which is sudden and directly related to a specific injury or surgical procedure.
Acute pain is short-term and serves as a protective mechanism to alert the body to potential harm.
Choice B rationale:
Chronic pain is not the appropriate answer because the nurse's description focuses on the pain being "sudden" and "directly related to the surgical procedure.”..
Chronic pain is long-lasting and persists over an extended period, often beyond the expected recovery time.
Choice C rationale:
The nurse describes the pain as being directly related to surgery, which is more characteristic of acute pain.
Choice D rationale:
Neuropathic pain is also not the correct answer because the nurse's description does not indicate any nerve damage or dysfunction.
The pain is described as a direct result of the surgical procedure, which aligns with acute pain rather than neuropathic pain.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Neuropathic pain.
Choice A rationale:
Somatic pain Somatic pain is typically described as a sharp or aching sensation arising from the skin, muscles, or bones.
It is not typically associated with the burning or tingling sensations mentioned by the client.
Choice B rationale:
Visceral pain Visceral pain is pain originating from internal organs and is often described as a dull, crampy, or aching sensation.
It is not characterized by burning or tingling sensations.
Choice C rationale:
Neuropathic pain Neuropathic pain is characterized by abnormal processing of pain signals by the nervous system.
It often presents with burning, tingling, or shooting sensations.
The client's description of their pain as a burning or tingling sensation is indicative of neuropathic pain.
Choice D rationale:
Oncologic pain Oncologic pain is pain associated with cancer and its treatment.
It can have various qualities, but the description provided by the client, particularly the burning or tingling sensation, is more characteristic of neuropathic pain than oncologic pain.
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