The nurse notices a client grimacing while moving from the bed to a chair, but when asked about the pain the client denies having any pain. Which intervention should the nurse implement first?
Review the pain medications prescribed.
Monitor the client’s nonverbal behavior.
Administer PRN oral pain medication.
Ask the client what is causing the grimacing.
The Correct Answer is D
Choice A rationale
Administering PRN oral pain medication without further assessment may not be appropriate, as the client’s pain needs must be fully evaluated before intervening with medication. Pain medication should be administered based on an accurate assessment rather than solely on nonverbal cues.
Choice B rationale
Reviewing the pain medications prescribed is important, particularly if the client is exhibiting signs of uncontrolled pain. However, this intervention should be secondary to further assessment of the client’s current pain status.
Choice C rationale
Administering PRN oral pain medication without further assessment may not be appropriate, as the client’s pain needs must be fully evaluated before intervening with medication. Pain medication should be administered based on an accurate assessment rather than solely on nonverbal cues.
Choice D rationale
Asking the client what is causing the grimacing is the correct intervention to implement first. Nonverbal cues, such as grimacing, can indicate the presence of pain, even if the client denies it verbally. By closely monitoring the client’s nonverbal behavior, the nurse can gather additional information about the client’s pain experience and make appropriate interventions based on a comprehensive assessment.
Free Nursing Test Bank
- Free Pharmacology Quiz 1
- Free Medical-Surgical Quiz 2
- Free Fundamentals Quiz 3
- Free Maternal-Newborn Quiz 4
- Free Anatomy and Physiology Quiz 5
- Free Obstetrics and Pediatrics Quiz 6
- Free Fluid and Electrolytes Quiz 7
- Free Community Health Quiz 8
- Free Promoting Health across the Lifespan Quiz 9
- Free Multidimensional Care Quiz 10
View Related questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Identifying effective pain relief measures is important, but it does not directly assess the quality of the pain. This approach focuses on management rather than understanding the pain’s characteristics.
Choice B rationale
Asking the client to describe the pain is the most direct way to assess its quality. This allows the nurse to gather detailed information about the pain’s nature, intensity, and characteristics, which is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Choice C rationale
Providing a numeric pain scale helps quantify the pain’s intensity but does not provide qualitative details about the pain’s nature. It is useful for monitoring pain levels over time but not for initial assessment.
Choice D rationale
Observing body language and movement can give clues about pain but is subjective and less reliable than directly asking the client. It should be used as a supplementary method rather than the primary approach.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A rationale
Verifying the placement of the pulse oximeter is the first step to ensure the accuracy of the oxygen saturation reading. An incorrect placement can lead to inaccurate readings, and addressing this issue can help determine if further interventions are needed.
Choice B rationale
Increasing the oxygen to 3 L/minute may be necessary if the oxygen saturation remains low after verifying the pulse oximeter placement. However, this should be done after ensuring the accuracy of the initial reading.
Choice C rationale
Switching to a non-rebreather mask is not the immediate action to take. Non-rebreather masks deliver a high concentration of oxygen, typically reserved for severe hypoxia. The patient’s oxygen saturation is low, but not critically low.
Choice D rationale
Removing the nasal cannula is not appropriate as it would further decrease the oxygen supply to the patient. The goal is to improve oxygenation, not reduce it.