An older adult client grimaces and demonstrates guarding behavior, but denies experiencing pain when asked by the nurse to rate the pain on a numeric scale. Which action should the nurse take next?

Ask the client to describe how they are feeling.

Administer a PRN dose of a prescribed analgesic.

Document that the client denies pain in the nurse's notes.

Confront the client about inconsistent behavior and response.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   Asking the client to describe their feelings provides an opportunity to explore their symptoms in more detail, which might help in understanding their pain better. This approach respects the client's experience and opens a dialogue to assess their discomfort more accurately, especially if they are not expressing it verbally or are having difficulty quantifying it.
B.   Administering medication without further assessment might be premature. The client's denial of pain and the presence of grimacing and guarding behavior suggest that there may be underlying discomfort, but it's crucial to assess the situation more thoroughly before administering medication.
C.   While documenting the client’s verbal denial of pain is important, it should not be the only action taken. The client's non-verbal cues such as grimacing and guarding behavior suggest that they might be experiencing pain despite their verbal denial.
D.   Confronting the client could be perceived as accusatory and might make them feel defensive or uncomfortable. It's important to approach the situation with empathy and understanding rather than confrontation.

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Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Assessing the client for pain is a crucial step because pain can cause disorientation and agitation, especially after surgery. Pain might be a reason for the client's behavior. Addressing pain effectively can help improve the client’s comfort and potentially reduce disorientation and risky behavior.
B. Applying wrist restraints should be considered a last resort and only when other interventions are not effective or if there is an immediate danger to the client. Restraints can increase agitation and potentially lead to other complications.
C. Determining the client's blood pressure can be important, especially if there are concerns about hypotension or other cardiovascular issues that might contribute to disorientation. However, it is usually more effective to first address potential pain or discomfort.
D. Administering a sedative may be appropriate in cases of severe agitation or disorientation, but it should not be the first action. It is essential to first identify and address any underlying causes of the client’s behavior, such as pain, before resorting to pharmacological interventions.

A. Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements. B. Impaired physical mobility. C. Relocation stress syndrome. D. Body image disturbance.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. After a myocardial infarction, it is important to monitor the client’s blood pressure before they start ambulating to assess their hemodynamic stability. Changes in blood pressure during or after ambulation could indicate problems such as orthostatic hypotension or cardiovascular instability.
B. While monitoring urinary output is important for assessing renal function and fluid balance, it is not the most immediate concern when preparing the client to ambulate post-MI. The priority is to ensure cardiovascular stability and safety during ambulation, so other interventions take precedence in this situation.
C. Dietary teaching about a cardiac diet is important for long-term management and recovery after an MI. However, it is not the immediate concern when the client is preparing to ambulate for the first time. The priority at this moment is to ensure the client’s safety and stability during the initial physical activity.
D. Vital signs should certainly be monitored, but the more immediate concern when the client is preparing to ambulate is ensuring cardiovascular stability and assessing any potential risk factors that could arise during the activity.

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An older adult client grimaces and demonstrates guarding behavior, but denies experiencing pain when asked by the nurse to rate the pain on a numeric scale. Which action should the nurse take next?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

On the first postoperative day, the nurse finds an older adult client disoriented and trying to climb over the bed railing. The client was oriented to person, place, and time on admission. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

The nurse is assessing an older female client who was admitted to a long-term facility two days ago. The resident refuses to go to the dining room for meals and calls for help with all activities of daily living. Which nursing problem is best to include in this client's plan of care?

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

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