Which chart entry represents appropriate documentation about the patient's pain assessment?

Choice A rationale

Performing a focused patient assessment at the beginning of the shift is the priority action as it allows the nurse to gather current data about the patient's condition. This assessment provides the foundation for identifying the patient's immediate needs, establishing priorities, and planning appropriate care for the shift. It ensures that any changes in the patient's status since the last shift are promptly identified and addressed.

Choice B rationale

Administering prescribed medication is an important nursing responsibility, but it should occur after the initial assessment. The assessment may reveal changes in the patient's condition that could affect the timing or appropriateness of medication administration. Prioritizing assessment ensures medication administration is safe and based on the most current patient data.

Choice C rationale

Creating the nursing plan of care is an ongoing process that is informed by the initial and subsequent patient assessments. While a plan of care guides nursing interventions, the immediate need at the start of the shift is to assess the patient's current status to ensure the plan remains relevant and addresses any new or changing needs.

Choice D rationale

Determining the patient's family history is typically part of the comprehensive admission assessment. While relevant for understanding the patient's overall health risks, it is not the priority action at the beginning of each shift. The immediate focus should be on the patient's current physical and emotional status to guide immediate care.

Choice A rationale

Incorrect organization of health assessment findings relates to how the nurse collects and structures patient data, which may impact the accuracy of diagnosis and care planning but is less likely to be the primary cause of frustration with a patient's cultural health practices.

Choice B rationale

While a patient's insistence on alternative remedies and spiritual practices might indicate coping mechanisms, it doesn't directly explain the nurse's frustration. The frustration likely stems from a conflict in beliefs or approaches to healthcare rather than the patient's ability to cope.

Choice C rationale

Cultural differences encompass the values, beliefs, and practices that influence a person's perception of health, illness, and healthcare. A patient's preference for herbal remedies, prayer, and a spiritual healer over conventional medical treatment reflects cultural health-related practices that may differ significantly from the nurse's professional training and beliefs, potentially leading to frustration.

Choice D rationale

Delay in psychosocial development refers to a lag in achieving expected developmental milestones related to social and emotional functioning. While it can influence a patient's health behaviors, it is less directly related to the nurse's frustration with culturally based healthcare choices. .