When assessing a client's pain, the nurse determines the location and intensity of the pain. To gather data about the quality of the pain, which action should the nurse take?

Ask the client to describe the pain experienced.

Provide the client with a visual analog scale.

Instruct the client in use of a numeric pain scale.

Gently palpate the area and observe the response.

Answer and Explanation

The Correct Answer is A

A.   Asking the client to describe the pain is the most direct way to gather information about the quality of the pain. This approach allows the client to express characteristics such as whether the pain is sharp, dull, burning, aching, throbbing, or stabbing.
B.   A visual analog scale (VAS) is useful for assessing the intensity of pain, not the quality. The VAS typically involves a line with endpoints representing no pain and worst possible pain, where the client marks their pain level.
C.   The numeric pain scale is designed to measure the intensity of pain on a scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 represents the worst pain imaginable. Like the VAS, this scale assesses pain intensity rather than quality.
D.   Palpation and observing the client's response can help assess the location and intensity of pain, particularly if there are physical findings associated with the pain. However, this method does not provide information about the pain’s quality, such as its character or nature.

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

A. While protein levels are important in assessing overall nutritional status and can indicate conditions like malnutrition or liver disease, they are not the primary focus in the context of fever, dry mucous membranes, and skin turgor changes.
B. Hemoglobin levels are crucial for assessing anemia and overall oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Although dehydration can potentially concentrate hemoglobin levels, it is not the primary laboratory value to monitor in the context of the acute symptoms
C. The white blood cell count is important for diagnosing infections and understanding the body's response to illness. However, in this scenario, the primary concern is dehydration, which is not directly measured by WBC count. While an elevated WBC could indicate an infection contributing to the fever, it is not the primary laboratory value to monitor for fluid and electrolyte imbalances.
D. Sodium is a key electrolyte that can be significantly affected by dehydration. Dry mucous membranes, inelastic skin turgor, and a fever suggest potential fluid loss and dehydration, which can lead to imbalances in sodium levels. Monitoring sodium levels is crucial because dehydration often results in elevated sodium concentrations (hypernatremia), which can have serious implications for the client’s health.

A. Report the findings to the healthcare provider. B. Review the client's current electrolyte values. C. Demonstrate the use of an incentive spirometer. D. Connect the tube to low intermittent suction.

Correct Answer is A

Explanation

A. Reporting the findings to the healthcare provider is crucial in this situation. The combination of fever and dyspnea could indicate a serious complication such as aspiration pneumonia or an infection related to the tube feeding. Prompt communication with the healthcare provider ensures that the client receives timely evaluation and treatment.
B. While monitoring electrolytes is important in the context of tube feedings (to ensure proper balance and prevent imbalances), the symptoms of fever and dyspnea are more urgent concerns that need immediate attention.
C. Using an incentive spirometer can be beneficial for improving lung function and preventing complications like atelectasis, especially if the client has respiratory issues. However, this action is more appropriate for clients who have specific respiratory therapy needs and is not the first step in addressing acute symptoms like fever and dyspnea, which require a more immediate response.
D. Connecting the tube to low intermittent suction might be used to manage gastric residuals or to help with gastrointestinal decompression in some situations, but it does not address the acute symptoms of fever and dyspnea.

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When assessing a client's pain, the nurse determines the location and intensity of the pain. To gather data about the quality of the pain, which action should the nurse take?

Nursing Test Bank

Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams

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Correct Answer is D

Explanation

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Explanation

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