A nurse is giving an intramuscular injection to a newborn who was delivered at 38 weeks of gestation. Which of the following pain scales should the nurse use to assess the newborn's pain?
Natal Infant Pa Scale PS
FACES pain rating scale
Premature infant Pain Profile (PIPP)
visual analog scale (VAS)
The Correct Answer is A
Choice A reason:
A. Natal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS): The NIPS is a behavioral assessment tool designed for both preterm and full-term neonates. It evaluates six behavioral indicators in response to painful procedures. These indicators include changes in facial expression (such as grimacing, brow bulge, and eye squeeze), body movements (such as fisting, tremulousness, and limb withdrawal), and other signs of distressChoice B reason:
FACES pain rating scale The FACES pain rating scale should not be used because it is a visual scale that uses facial expressions to assess pain in children who can communicate using pictures of faces displaying different emotions. It is generally used for older children and not appropriate for newborns.
Choice C reason
Premature Infant Pain Profile (PIPP): The PIPP is another pain assessment tool specifically developed for preterm infants. It considers physiological and behavioral parameters, including facial expressions, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and gestational age. While useful for preterm infants, it may not be the best choice for full-term newborns.Since the newborn in this scenario was delivered at 38 weeks of gestation, the PIPP would be an appropriate pain assessment tool to use. It considers specific physiological and behavioural indicators of pain in newborns and helps healthcare providers evaluate and manage pain in this vulnerable population.
Choice D reason:
Visual analog scale (VAS) should not be used because the visual analog scale is a pain assessment tool typically used for older children, adolescents, and adults who can understand and provide a subjective rating of their pain intensity along a linear scale. It involves marking a point on the line corresponding to the level of pain experienced. Since newborns cannot communicate in this way, the VAS is not suitable for their pain assessment.

Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. Contacting the facility chaplain to visit with the client may be helpful for some clients who have spiritual needs or concerns, but it does not address the client's expressed desire to go home. The nurse should respect the client's wishes and preferences and not impose their own beliefs or values on them.
B. Explaining the process of leaving the facility against medical advice may discourage the client from pursuing their goal of going home and imply that they are making a wrong decision. The nurse should not judge or coerce the client, but rather provide them with information and support to make an informed choice.
C. Making a referral for social services is the best action for the nurse to take, as it will help the client access resources and services that can facilitate their discharge planning and home care arrangements. The social worker can also assist with financial, legal, or emotional issues that may arise from the terminal diagnosis.
D. Encouraging the client to continue with inpatient care may go against the client's wishes and values, and may cause them more distress and suffering. The nurse should respect the client's autonomy and dignity and support their quality of life goals.
Correct Answer is B, A, D, C
Explanation
B. Inspection is the first step in an abdominal assessment because it allows the nurse to observe the shape, size, symmetry, contour, and movement of the abdomen. Inspection also helps to identify any abnormalities such as scars, lesions, masses, or distension.
A. Auscultation is the second step in an abdominal assessment because it allows the nurse to listen to the bowel sounds and vascular sounds of the abdomen. Auscultation should be performed before palpation or apercussion because these maneuvers could alter the sounds.
D. Percussion is the third step in an abdominal assessment because it allows the nurse to elicit sounds from different organs and structures in the abdomen. Percussion helps to determine the size, location, density, and consistency of the organs and to detect any fluid or air accumulation.
C. Palpation is the last step in an abdominal assessment because it allows the nurse to feel the texture, temperature, tenderness, and masses of the abdomen. Palpation should be performed gently and carefully to avoid causing pain or injury to the client.
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