A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who is awake, alert, and oriented. Which of the following methods should the nurse use as part of her pain management interventions to determine the intensity of the client's pain?

Visual observation for nonverbal signs of pain.

Vital sign measurement.

The client's self-report of pain severity.

The nature and invasiveness of the surgical procedure.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is C

Choice A rationale:

Visual observation for nonverbal signs of pain can be useful, especially in patients who are unable to communicate verbally. However, this method is not as accurate or reliable as obtaining the client's self-report of pain severity, which directly allows the patient to express their experience.

Choice B rationale:

Vital sign measurement, such as heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, can provide indirect information about a patient's pain level. However, vital signs can be influenced by various factors, including anxiety or other physiological responses. They may not always accurately reflect the intensity of pain and are not as specific as the client's self-report.

Choice C rationale:

The client's self-report of pain severity is the most reliable and accurate method for determining the intensity of pain. Pain is a subjective experience, and the client's self-report is crucial for effective pain management. Pain scales, such as numeric rating scales or visual analog scales, allow clients to describe their pain intensity in a standardized way.

Choice D rationale:

The nature and invasiveness of the surgical procedure are relevant factors to consider in understanding a patient's potential pain experience. However, this information alone is not sufficient for determining the current intensity of the client's pain. Pain levels can vary among individuals undergoing the same procedure due to differences in pain tolerance and perception.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Unequal chest expansion is the correct choice. In a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the airways are often narrowed and obstructed, leading to difficulty in moving air in and out of the lungs. This can result in unequal chest expansion during breathing, where one side of the chest expands less than the other. This finding is commonly observed in patients with COPD due to the imbalance in lung function between different areas of the lungs.

Choice B rationale:

Atrophied neck and trapezius muscle is not a typical finding in COPD. Muscle atrophy can occur in conditions of prolonged disuse or immobility, but it is not a characteristic manifestation of COPD itself.

Choice C rationale:

Increased tactile fremitus refers to increased vibrations felt on the chest wall during speech. This finding is more commonly associated with conditions that cause lung consolidation, such as pneumonia. In COPD, there is often air trapping and hyperinflation of the lungs, which would not lead to increased tactile fremitus.

Choice D rationale:

An anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio of 1:1 is not a typical finding in a healthy individual, let alone in a patient with COPD. In COPD, there is often an increase in the anterior-to-posterior chest diameter ratio, giving the chest a barrel-like appearance. This is due to the trapped air and hyperinflation of the lungs, which is characteristic of the disease.

A. Offer a glass of water to the patient. B. Monitor the patient for signs and symptoms of shock. C. Place moist sterile gauze over the site. D. Gently place the organs back. E. Contact the patient's Surgeon.

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

Explanation

Choice A rationale:

Offering a glass of water to the patient is not a priority action when dealing with a surgical incision that eviscerates. This situation requires immediate intervention to prevent complications related to the evisceration.

Choice B rationale:

Monitoring the patient for signs and symptoms of shock is crucial in this scenario. Evisceration, the protrusion of organs from a surgical incision, can lead to significant blood loss, which may result in shock. Signs of shock include hypotension, tachycardia, pallor, diaphoresis, and altered mental status.

Choice C rationale:

Placing moist sterile gauze over the site is appropriate to prevent the exposed organs from drying out and becoming further damaged. It also helps to reduce the risk of infection. Moist sterile gauze helps maintain a sterile environment and prevents the organs from being exposed to contaminants.

Choice D rationale:

Gently placing the organs back into the abdominal cavity is not within the nurse's scope of practice. This action requires surgical intervention by a healthcare provider. The nurse's role is to provide immediate first aid and notify the surgeon.

Choice E rationale:

Contacting the patient's surgeon is essential. Evisceration is a surgical emergency, and the surgeon needs to be informed promptly to make decisions regarding further interventions. The patient may require emergency surgery to address the evisceration and prevent complications.

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A nurse is caring for a postoperative client who is awake, alert, and oriented. Which of the following methods should the nurse use as part of her pain management interventions to determine the intensity of the client's pain?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

A Medical-Surgical nurse is performing an assessment on a client with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Which of the following findings will the nurse most likely observe?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A nurse on the Medical-Surgical unit is caring for a patient with a surgical incision that eviscerates. Which actions will the nurse take? (Select all that apply.).

Correct Answer is ["B","C","E"]

Explanation

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