A nurse is performing a pain assessment for an alert client. Which measure should the nurse recognize as the most reliable indicator of pain?
Severity of the condition
Vital signs
Nonverbal behavior
Self-rating of pain
The Correct Answer is D
A. The severity of the condition may correlate with pain but is not a direct measure of the individual's pain experience.
B. Vital signs can change due to pain but are not specific indicators of pain intensity or presence.
C. Nonverbal behavior can provide clues about pain but is subjective and can vary greatly between individuals.
D. Self-rating of pain is considered the most reliable indicator of pain because it reflects the individual's personal experience and perception of their pain, making it the gold standard for assessing pain intensity.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. Asking the client to identify scented aromas assesses cranial nerve I (olfactory nerve), which is responsible for the sense of smell.
B. Reading a Snellen chart assesses cranial nerve II (optic nerve), which is related to vision.
C. Listening to the client's speech evaluates the function of cranial nerves V (trigeminal) and XII (hypoglossal), which are related to mastication and tongue movement, respectively.
D. Asking the client to clench his teeth tests cranial nerve V, which innervates the muscles of mastication.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. The severity of the condition may correlate with pain but is not a direct measure of the individual's pain experience.
B. Vital signs can change due to pain but are not specific indicators of pain intensity or presence.
C. Nonverbal behavior can provide clues about pain but is subjective and can vary greatly between individuals.
D. Self-rating of pain is considered the most reliable indicator of pain because it reflects the individual's personal experience and perception of their pain, making it the gold standard for assessing pain intensity.