The nurse finds that a patient’s skin tents when assessing skin turgor. How would the nurse interpret this finding?

Choice A reason: In a conscious, alert, and oriented patient, the subjective report is the most reliable pain indicator, as pain is a subjective experience. The patient’s description of intensity, location, and quality directly reflects their perception, guided by neurological pain pathways, making this the gold standard.

Choice B reason: Vital signs like elevated heart rate or blood pressure may suggest pain but are nonspecific, as they can result from anxiety, exertion, or other conditions. They are less reliable than the patient’s verbal report, which directly conveys the pain experience.

Choice C reason: X-ray results may identify structural issues but cannot directly assess pain, a subjective sensation processed by the brain’s pain pathways. They are diagnostic, not experiential, making them unreliable for gauging pain in a conscious patient.

Choice D reason: Physical examination findings, like guarding or grimacing, are indirect pain indicators and less reliable than the patient’s subjective report. These signs may be absent or misleading in some patients, making the verbal description more accurate for pain assessment.

Choice A reason: Alcohol can interact with medications, altering their metabolism via liver enzymes (e.g., CYP450), and exacerbate conditions like liver disease or hypertension. This information is critical for safe treatment planning, making it the primary reason for inquiry.

Choice B reason: Assessing patient reliability is not the purpose of asking about alcohol use. This question focuses on clinical implications, not trustworthiness, as alcohol’s effects on health and medications are the priority, making this an incorrect rationale.

Choice C reason: Alcohol use is relevant even without an obvious drinking problem, as even moderate consumption can affect medication efficacy or disease progression. Dismissing this question unless a problem is evident overlooks potential risks, making this incorrect.

Choice D reason: Teaching all patients to avoid alcohol is not universally necessary, as moderate use may be safe for some. The inquiry aims to identify specific risks, like drug interactions, not to enforce blanket abstinence, making this an incorrect reason.