The illiterate patient signs the surgical consent form with an "X." The nurse is aware that this "X" is:

A. To achieve fast-acting pain relief, administer analgesics PO. Oral (PO) medications may not provide rapid pain relief, particularly postoperatively. IV or other forms of analgesia are preferred for fast-acting relief.

B. Consider the client's individual expression of pain. Pain is subjective, and the nurse should consider each patient’s unique expression of pain to provide appropriate pain management.

C. Expect the client to express his pain both verbally and nonverbally. Patients may express pain verbally or nonverbally, such as through facial expressions or body movements. The nurse must be attentive to both forms of expression.

D. Use a scale from 0 to 10 to monitor the severity of the client's pain. The 0 to 10 pain scale is a common and effective tool for assessing the severity of a patient's pain, allowing for appropriate intervention.

E. Administer opioids with caution because they will eventually lead to addiction. While opioids should be used cautiously, the focus should be on appropriate and safe pain management. Addiction is not an immediate concern for postoperative patients who require short-term use.

A. Distract the client by giving him reading material. Distraction may not address the underlying anxiety and could delay processing the client's concerns about the surgery.

B. Suggest that he take a walk around the unit. While walking can help with anxiety in some patients, it does not directly address the client's expressed concern about the surgery itself.

C. Ask him to describe his concerns. The nurse should acknowledge the patient's feelings by encouraging them to express their concerns. This helps reduce anxiety and provides valuable information for further support.

D. Refer him to the spiritual care team. While spiritual care may be beneficial later, it’s essential to first address the patient’s immediate concerns before referring them to other services.