The nurse is assessing a patient with chest pain who has just come to the hospital. Which open-ended question will provide the nurse with helpful information about the patient’s health status?

Choice A reason: This is incorrect. Neuropathy due to uncontrolled diabetes is not an example of nociceptive pain. Neuropathy is a type of neuropathic pain, which is pain that is caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system. It can cause sensations of numbness, tingling, burning, or shooting pain in the affected area. It is not related to tissue injury or inflammation.

Choice B reason: This is incorrect. Phantom pain after amputation of a limb is not an example of nociceptive pain. Phantom pain is a type of neuropathic pain, which is pain that is felt in a body part that is no longer present. It can be triggered by memories, emotions, or stimuli. It is not related to tissue injury or inflammation.

Choice C reason: This is correct. Pain from rheumatoid arthritis joint damage is an example of nociceptive pain. Nociceptive pain is pain that is caused by tissue injury or inflammation. It can be triggered by mechanical, thermal, or chemical stimuli. It can cause sensations of aching, throbbing, or stabbing pain in the affected area.

Choice D reason: This is incorrect. Chronic nerve pain after shingles infection is not an example of nociceptive pain. Chronic nerve pain is a type of neuropathic pain, which is pain that is caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system. It can be caused by a viral infection, such as shingles, that affects the nerve fibers. It can cause sensations of burning, itching, or electric pain in the affected area. It is not related to tissue injury or inflammation.

Choice A reason: This is an incorrect choice because the nurse braids the patient’s long hair to prevent tangles is not an action that demonstrates the concept of nurse autonomy. Nurse autonomy refers to the ability and right of nurses to make independent decisions about patient care without interference from others. Braiding the patient’s hair is a personal care task that does not require the nurse to use their own judgment or expertise.

Choice B reason: This is the correct choice because the nurse checks the policy manual before changing the central line dressing is an action that demonstrates the concept of nurse autonomy. Nurse autonomy refers to the ability and right of nurses to make independent decisions about patient care without interference from others. Checking the policy manual before changing the central line dressing shows that the nurse is responsible for following the evidence-based guidelines and standards of practice for this procedure.

Choice C reason: This is an incorrect choice because the nurse counts the patient’s pulse before administering digoxin is not an action that demonstrates the concept of nurse autonomy. Nurse autonomy refers to the ability and right of nurses to make independent decisions about patient care without interference from others. Counting the patient’s pulse before administering digoxin is a routine task that is prescribed by the physician and does not involve the nurse’s own decision making.

Choice D reason: This is an incorrect choice because the nurse directs the nursing assistant to obtain the patient's weight is not an action that demonstrates the concept of nurse autonomy. Nurse autonomy refers to the ability and right of nurses to make independent decisions about patient care without interference from others. Directing the nursing assistant to obtain the patient's weight is a task that is delegated by the nurse and does not reflect the nurse’s own authority or initiative.