A clinic nurse is documenting in a patient medical record about the pain that brought the patient to seek medical attention. The best description is:
"Severe pain around umbilicus, unable to sleep because of pain. Started approximately 2 hours after lunch."
"Abdominal pain, unrelieved by antacids. Had spaghetti, salad, coffee, and ice cream cake for lunch."
"Periumbilical sharp pain at pain level of 7 to 8 for last 3 hours, started 2 hours after lunch. No relief from antacids."
"Pain at level of 7 to 8. Nothing has relieved or lessened pain, it just keeps getting worse."
The Correct Answer is C
A. "Severe pain around umbilicus, unable to sleep because of pain. Started approximately 2 hours after lunch."
This documentation provides details but lacks specific information on the pain’s nature and duration.
B. "Abdominal pain, unrelieved by antacids. Had spaghetti, salad, coffee, and ice cream cake for lunch."
This statement includes diet details but lacks a pain intensity rating and specific location.
C. "Periumbilical sharp pain at pain level of 7 to 8 for last 3 hours, started 2 hours after lunch. No relief from antacids." This statement is the most thorough, including location, nature, intensity, duration, and lack of relief from interventions.
D. "Pain at level of 7 to 8. Nothing has relieved or lessened pain, it just keeps getting worse."
This is incomplete, as it lacks a specific location and description of the pain’s onset.
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Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. “Taking fluids poorly, but more than yesterday."
This assessment is vague (“taking fluids poorly”), lacks measurable details, and does not meet the clarity standard required in documentation.
B. "Apparently comfortable all night. Offers no complaints of pain."
“Apparently comfortable” is an assumption rather than an observable, objective statement, which could be legally questionable.
C. "Patient says she is still slightly nauseated, would like to try some toast and tea."
While this is clear, “slightly nauseated” could be more specific, and this does not objectively quantify the patient’s condition.
D. "4 cm reddened area over sacrum. Skin intact, warm, and dry."
This statement is concise, uses precise measurements, and includes objective data, meeting legal documentation guidelines.
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A. wrings her hands and paces around the room while denying that she is upset.
This example reflects incongruence. The patient's body language (pacing, wringing hands) suggests anxiety or distress, which does not match her verbal denial of being upset.
B. states she is comfortable while she frowns, and her teeth are clenched.
This example also reflects incongruence. Her facial expression and clenched teeth contradict her statement of comfort, indicating her communication is not aligned.
C. is tearful and slow in speech when talking about her husband's death.
This example reflects congruence. The patient’s verbal expression and nonverbal cues are aligned, indicating that her communication is consistent with her emotions.
D. smiles and laughs while speaking of feeling lonely and depressed.
This example reflects incongruence. Smiling and laughing contradict the verbal expression of loneliness and depression, indicating a mismatch in her communication.