A nurse is conducting a pain assessment for a client who reports discomfort. Which of the following actions is the most appropriate for the nurse to take to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the client's pain?
Observe the patient's facial expressions and body language for signs of discomfort.
Measure the patient's vital signs and note any changes.
Review the patient's medical history for past pain management interventions and their outcomes.
Ask the patient to describe the pain using a pain scale and provide details about its location, duration, and intensity.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Observe the patient's facial expressions and body language for signs of discomfort: While observation is important, it doesn't provide a complete picture of the client's pain experience and may not capture all aspects, such as intensity or location.
B. Measure the patient's vital signs and note any changes: Vital signs are important but can be nonspecific indicators of pain and are not as reliable for assessing pain intensity or quality.
C. Review the patient's medical history for past pain management interventions and their outcomes: While this is useful, it does not directly address the client's current pain experience.
D. Ask the patient to describe the pain using a pain scale and provide details about its location, duration, and intensity. A comprehensive pain assessment requires the client's self-report to fully understand the pain's characteristics. A pain scale (e.g., 0-10) helps quantify the intensity, and asking about its location, duration, and type allows for a thorough understanding of the pain's impact.
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Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. Pain that has been present for more than six months and is associated with ongoing tissue damage: This describes chronic pain, which persists over time and is not indicative of acute pain.
B. Pain that occurs suddenly and is typically related to a specific injury or trauma. Acute pain is characterized by its sudden onset, often associated with a specific cause, such as injury or surgery.
C. Pain that fluctuates in intensity and is often accompanied by changes in mood and behavior: This describes chronic pain, which may have episodic flare-ups and can impact emotional well-being.
D. Pain that is described as dull and persists despite the absence of an obvious cause: This is more indicative of chronic pain, which may not be directly linked to ongoing tissue damage.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Asking the client to rate the pain: Pain rating provides a subjective measure of the intervention’s effectiveness in reducing discomfort.
B. Having the client perform range-of-motion of the affected arm: This assessment is not specific to determining the effectiveness of cold therapy; it is more related to mobility or rehabilitation.
C. Monitoring the client's pulse rate: While pain can affect pulse rate, this is an indirect and nonspecific measure of pain or swelling reduction.
D. Inspecting the site for reduced swelling: Swelling reduction can be an indicator of decreased inflammation, but it does not provide a direct assessment of the client’s pain levels.
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