A client is telling a nurse about her pain.
The client says, "The pain is so bad that I can't sleep or eat.
It's making it hard to do anything.”..
Which of the following statements by the nurse would be most appropriate?

Choice A rationale:

This choice is incorrect because the nurse should not disregard the child's developmental level when assessing pain.

Children of different ages may experience and express pain differently.

Ignoring their developmental stage can lead to inadequate pain assessment.

Choice B rationale:

This choice is incorrect because using an adult-focused pain assessment tool for all pediatric patients is not appropriate.

Pediatric patients require developmentally appropriate tools that consider their age and ability to communicate their pain effectively.

Choice C rationale:

This is a correct choice.

The nurse should consider the child's daily activities when assessing pain.

Pain can impact a child's daily life, including school performance and activities.

Understanding the child's daily activities helps in assessing the impact of pain and planning appropriate pain management.

Choice D rationale:

This is also a correct choice.

The nurse should document which assessment tool was used.

Proper documentation is essential for tracking the child's pain management over time and ensuring that the most appropriate assessment tool is consistently applied.

Choice E rationale:

This choice is incorrect.

The nurse should not ignore the impact of pain on school performance, as it is one of the aspects that should be considered when assessing a child's pain and its effect on their daily life.

Choice A rationale:

This response accurately describes the difference between acute and chronic pain in children.

Acute pain is sudden, often severe, and usually has a specific cause, such as an injury or a medical procedure.

Chronic pain, on the other hand, persists for an extended period, often beyond the expected healing time, and may not have an easily identifiable cause.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is not correct.

Acute pain is not always severe; it can range from mild to severe, depending on the underlying cause.

Chronic pain is characterized by its duration rather than its severity.

Choice C rationale:

This response is not accurate.

Both acute and chronic pain can be treated or managed with medication and other therapeutic interventions.

The distinction between the two lies in the duration and cause of the pain, not in the treatability.

Choice D rationale:

This statement is not accurate.

Acute and chronic pain can both have physical and psychological components.

Acute pain is often related to a specific physical cause, while chronic pain can have physical and psychological factors contributing to it.