A nurse is caring for a patient experiencing acute pain following a knee injury.
The nurse is educating the patient about pain management strategies to use at home.Which of the following non-pharmacological methods of pain relief should the nurse include in their teaching?

Choice A rationale
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. It does not cause a sensation of tightness around the torso.
Choice B rationale

Lhermitte’s sign is a symptom of multiple sclerosis and other neurological conditions where a person feels an electric shock-like sensation running down the spine and into the limbs. It does not cause a sensation of tightness around the torso.
Choice C rationale
The sensation of tightness around the torso in a patient with multiple sclerosis is often referred to as the “MS hug”. It is caused by a lesion or an area of active inflammation within the spinal cord.
Choice D rationale
Paroxysmal spasms are a type of muscle spasm experienced by some people with multiple sclerosis. These spasms are usually painful and involve the muscles of the legs, but they do not cause a sensation of tightness around the torso.

Choice A rationale
Administering acetaminophen by mouth for pain control is important, but it is not the first intervention that should be implemented for a client who has had a traumatic fall. Pain management is crucial, but it is not the immediate priority in this situation.
Choice B rationale
Performing a thorough health history is a part of the nursing assessment, but it is not the first intervention in an acute situation such as a traumatic fall. Immediate physical needs and potential injuries need to be addressed first.
Choice C rationale

Preparing for a STAT non-contrast CT scan is the correct answer. After a traumatic fall, it is crucial to quickly assess for potential injuries, especially to the brain. A CT scan can help identify any immediate life-threatening conditions such as bleeding in the brain.
Choice D rationale
Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter to monitor urine output is an intervention that may be necessary depending on the client’s condition, but it is not the first intervention to be implemented after a traumatic fall.