Which of the following is most appropriate when the nurse assesses the intensity of the client's pain?

A. Asking the client to bear down as if urinating: This action is not appropriate in this situation because the lack of urine output may not necessarily be due to the client's inability to void. Checking for other potential issues, such as kinks in the tubing, is more appropriate as a first step.

B. Check for kinks in the tubing: This is the most appropriate first action. Kinks in the tubing can obstruct urine flow from the bladder to the drainage bag, leading to decreased or no urine output. By checking for kinks, the nurse can quickly identify and correct any obstructions, potentially resolving the issue without further intervention.

C. Increasing fluid intake: While maintaining adequate hydration is important for overall urinary function, it is not the most immediate action needed when there is no urine output in the catheter bag. Addressing potential mechanical issues, such as kinks in the tubing, takes precedence.

D. Inserting a new indwelling urinary catheter: Inserting a new catheter should not be the first action taken without investigating other potential causes for the lack of urine output. It is important to troubleshoot and address possible issues with the current catheter and drainage system before considering catheter replacement.

A. Chronic:

Chronic pain is characterized by pain that persists beyond the expected time for tissue healing, typically lasting for more than 3 to 6 months.

In this scenario, the client's pain has been present for 1 year, indicating a prolonged duration consistent with chronic pain.

Documenting the pain as chronic provides important information about the nature and duration of the client's pain experience.

C. Intractable:

Intractable pain refers to pain that is difficult to manage or control despite various treatment modalities.

The client's report of intense, sharp pain persisting at a high level (rated 9 out of 10) despite opioid analgesics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acupuncture suggests that the pain is intractable.

Documenting the pain as intractable highlights the challenges associated with managing the client's pain and the need for additional interventions or referral to specialized pain management services.

D. Neuropathic:

Neuropathic pain arises from damage or dysfunction of the nervous system and is often described as sharp, shooting, burning, or like an electric shock.

The client's description of their leg pain as "an intense sharp quality 'like an electric shock'" is consistent with neuropathic pain.

Documenting the pain as neuropathic helps identify the underlying pathophysiology of the pain and guides appropriate treatment strategies targeting neuropathic pain mechanisms.

B. Visceral:

Visceral pain originates from internal organs and is typically described as deep, dull, or cramping.

While the pain in this scenario is associated with spinal nerve injury, which can involve visceral pain pathways, the client's description of the pain as sharp and electric shock-like is more indicative of neuropathic pain rather than visceral pain.

Therefore, visceral pain may not be an appropriate descriptor for the client's pain experience in this case.

E. Cutaneous:

Cutaneous pain arises from the skin or subcutaneous tissues and is often described as superficial, sharp, or burning.

While the client's leg pain may involve cutaneous innervation, the description provided ("like an electric shock") suggests involvement of deeper structures and neuropathic pain mechanisms rather than purely cutaneous pain.

Therefore, cutaneous pain may not fully capture the nature of the client's pain experience in this scenario.