A patient has fallen and injured her knee.
It is not fractured, but there is considerable swelling and pain.
She asks which over-the-counter analgesic would be best to take for her discomfort.
The nurse tells her that one with NSAID properties would be best.
Which would it be best to take?

Choice A rationale:

Keeping bright lights on in the room is not conducive to relaxation. Bright lights can be stimulating and may increase stress, which is counterproductive when trying to manage pain through relaxation techniques.

Choice B rationale:

Using relaxation techniques as a way to wake up in the morning is not the intended purpose of these techniques. Relaxation techniques are typically used to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain, especially when one is trying to rest or sleep.

Choice C rationale:

Tensing and relaxing individual muscle groups, starting with the toes and feet, is a common method for progressive muscle relaxation. This technique can help reduce muscle tension and promote overall relaxation. It is an effective approach to pain management.

Choice D rationale:

Trying to tense and relax all of the muscles of the body at the same time may be difficult for most individuals and is not a commonly recommended relaxation technique. It can be challenging to achieve the level of focus and control required for this method, and it may not be as effective as focusing on individual muscle groups.

Choice A rationale:

Offering an ice pack to place on the neck would not be an appropriate response in this situation. The patient has already complained that the ice massage is making the pain worse, so providing additional cold application may exacerbate their discomfort.

Choice B rationale:

The most helpful response in this scenario is to acknowledge the patient's discomfort and stop the cold application. Not everyone responds positively to cold therapy, and it's essential to respect the patient's feedback and provide alternative methods for pain relief.

Choice C rationale:

Alternating hot and cold applications may be helpful for some patients, but in this case, the patient has already expressed that the ice massage is exacerbating their pain. Suggesting this approach without addressing the patient's immediate concern is not appropriate.

Choice D rationale:

While it's true that the discomfort from the ice massage may subside in a few minutes, it's important to prioritize the patient's comfort and address their pain immediately. Continuing an intervention that is causing increased pain is not in the patient's best interest.