A nurse is reinforcing teaching about pain control with a client who has acute pain following a subtotal gastric resection.
Which of the following client statements indicates an understanding of pain control?

The patient with a recent abdominal incision has an abdominal binder applied. The nurse explains that this appliance helps reduce pain by: The correct answer is choice A: supporting surface and internal tissues.

Choice A rationale:
An abdominal binder is primarily used to support surface and internal tissues. It provides gentle compression and support to the abdominal area, which can reduce pain and discomfort. By holding the incision site together and supporting the surrounding tissues, it can minimize movement and strain on the incision, helping to alleviate pain.
Choice B rationale:
While an abdominal binder may indirectly contribute to back support by stabilizing the abdominal area, its primary purpose is to support the surgical site. Enhancing early ambulation is more related to patient mobility and not the primary purpose of the binder.
Choice C rationale:
Abdominal binders do not increase warmth to the incision site. In fact, excessive warmth can lead to sweating and moisture, potentially increasing the risk of infection. The primary purpose is to provide support.
Choice D rationale:
An abdominal binder does not keep sutures and staples in place. The sutures and staples are used to secure the incision, and the binder is placed over them to provide support and compression. However, the binder itself is not responsible for keeping sutures and staples in place. .

Choice A rationale:

Sleeping with the window open for fresh air may not be the best solution in this scenario. While fresh air can be beneficial for sleep, it might not effectively block out the noise from the freeway and the nearby apartment complex. Furthermore, depending on the climate and location, having the window open might lead to discomfort or temperature-related issues.

Choice B rationale:

Performing exercise at bedtime is not a recommended solution for someone experiencing difficulty sleeping due to external noise. Exercise before bedtime can increase alertness and make it even more challenging to fall asleep, especially if it's vigorous exercise. It may exacerbate the problem rather than alleviate it.

Choice C rationale:

Having a couple of drinks at bedtime is not a suitable solution for sleep problems. Alcohol can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to poor-quality sleep. It may help the patient fall asleep initially but can lead to frequent awakenings and a less restful night's sleep.

Choice D rationale:

The correct choice is to wear soft earplugs for sleep. Soft earplugs can effectively reduce or block out external noise, providing a quieter sleep environment. This is a practical and safe solution to address the noise issue in the patient's apartment complex. It promotes better sleep quality without any negative side effects.