The nurse is assessing a patient’s pain. Which would be the most reliable indicator of pain in a conscious, alert, and oriented patient?
Subjective report
Patient’s vital signs
Results of an x-ray
Physical examination
The Correct Answer is A
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.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: A 15-year-old soccer player with a broken leg likely sustained the injury during sports, a common occurrence. Bruises on a 4-month-old’s arms are more concerning, as infants are non-mobile and less likely to bruise accidentally, suggesting possible abuse.
Choice B reason: Bruises on a 4-month-old’s arms are highly concerning, as infants this age are not mobile and cannot self-injure. Such bruising may indicate non-accidental trauma or abuse, requiring immediate investigation, making this the most concerning patient for possible abuse.
Choice C reason: An 8-year-old gymnast with a broken arm may have been injured during gymnastics, a plausible accident. A 4-month-old with arm bruises is more alarming, as infants are less likely to bruise without external force, so this is less concerning.
Choice D reason: A 2-year-old with knee bruises is typical from active play or falls while learning to walk. Bruises on a non-mobile 4-month-old’s arms are more suspicious for abuse, making this less concerning than the infant’s situation.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Inspection visually assesses abdominal shape and distention but cannot differentiate gas from constipation, as both may cause distention. It lacks the specificity to identify the cause, making it less effective for this purpose.
Choice B reason: Auscultation assesses bowel sounds but cannot directly distinguish gas from constipation. Hyperactive sounds may suggest gas, but this is indirect, and constipation can also alter sounds, making this less specific than percussion.
Choice C reason: Percussion produces a tympanic sound over gas-filled areas, indicating air in the bowel, versus a dull sound over solid masses like feces in constipation. This directly differentiates the cause of distention, making it the correct technique.
Choice D reason: Palpation assesses tenderness or masses but cannot reliably distinguish gas from constipation, as both may feel firm or distended. It lacks the specificity of percussion’s auditory cues, making it less effective for this purpose.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.