The nurse is assessing a client admitted with severe back pain. Which are essential components of the pain assessment? Select all that apply.

A) Impact on ADLs: Understanding how pain affects a client's activities of daily living (ADLs) is crucial for assessing the overall impact of the pain on their life. It provides insight into the functional limitations caused by the pain and helps guide treatment planning.

B) Family medical history: While family medical history can provide context for certain conditions, it is not an essential component of a focused pain assessment. The immediate concerns are more directly related to the client's current pain experience rather than their family's medical background.

C) Pain intensity rating: Assessing the intensity of pain is a fundamental aspect of pain assessment. Using scales (e.g., 0-10) allows the nurse to quantify the pain, monitor changes over time, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.

D) Characteristics of the pain: Understanding the characteristics of the pain—such as its quality (sharp, dull, throbbing) and location—is essential for determining its cause and guiding appropriate treatment strategies.

E) Aggravating factors: Identifying what exacerbates the pain is critical for understanding its nature and developing effective management strategies. Knowing which activities or positions worsen the pain can help in creating a comprehensive care plan tailored to the client's needs.

A) "Attempt to rotate your head in a circular manner": This instruction is focused on rotation rather than lateral flexion. While rotation assesses different neck movements, it does not specifically evaluate lateral flexion.

B) "Lean your head to the side and attempt to touch your ear to your shoulder": This instruction directly assesses lateral flexion of the neck. It encourages the client to bend their head to the side, effectively demonstrating the range of motion in that direction.
C) "Attempt to raise your shoulders up toward your ears": This instruction assesses shoulder elevation and shrugging rather than lateral flexion of the neck. It does not provide information about the lateral movement of the head.

D) "Tilt your head back and look at the ceiling": This instruction assesses extension of the neck rather than lateral flexion. It evaluates the ability to move the head backward.