What is the most reliable indicator of pain?
Subjective report
Physical exam
Results of a CAT scan
The client's vital signs
The Correct Answer is A
A) Subjective report: The most reliable indicator of pain is the patient's own description of their experience. Pain is inherently subjective, and individuals may perceive and express pain differently. Listening to the client's self-report provides valuable insight into their pain intensity, quality, and impact on daily life, which cannot be accurately assessed through objective measures alone.
B) Physical exam: While a physical exam can provide important information about potential sources of pain or related conditions, it may not accurately reflect the intensity or nature of the pain the patient is experiencing. Physical findings may vary widely among individuals with similar pain complaints, making this a less reliable indicator.
C) Results of a CAT scan: Imaging studies like CAT scans can identify structural issues, such as fractures or tumors, but they do not measure pain. Many patients with significant pain may have normal imaging results, while others with severe findings may report minimal discomfort, underscoring the limitations of relying solely on diagnostic tests.
D) The client's vital signs: Vital signs can indicate physiological responses to pain, such as increased heart rate or blood pressure, but they are not specific indicators of pain severity. Many factors can influence vital signs, including anxiety and other medical conditions, making them unreliable for assessing pain levels independently.
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Correct Answer is C
Explanation
A) Listen for another minute just to be sure: While it is important to confirm findings, simply listening for another minute may not provide enough time to accurately assess bowel sounds, as they can be infrequent or absent in certain conditions.
B) Contact the physician as this is a surgical emergency: Not hearing bowel sounds for a minute is not immediately indicative of a surgical emergency. It’s essential to gather more information before escalating the situation.
C) Auscultate for another 4 minutes: This is the appropriate action, as the nurse should auscultate for a total of 5 minutes (1 minute initially and then 4 more minutes) to adequately assess bowel sounds. This duration allows for the detection of normal, hypoactive, or absent bowel sounds, which can provide critical information about the client’s gastrointestinal function.
D) Listen posteriorly for enhanced bowel sounds: While listening from different positions may sometimes help, the standard practice is to listen for an appropriate duration before changing techniques. Auscultating for a longer period is more clinically relevant in this scenario.
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A) Information sharing is limited to those directly involved in the client's care: This statement reflects the principle of confidentiality and the ethical obligation to protect the client's private health information. Only healthcare providers directly involved in the client’s care should have access to their information, ensuring that it remains secure and confidential.
B) All members of the unit's healthcare team may have access to the client's chart: While many healthcare team members need access to the client's information for care coordination, this statement is misleading. Access should be limited to those directly involved in the client’s care to protect their confidentiality.
C) The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) determines who may communicate with the client: While HIPAA does set guidelines for the protection of health information and governs the sharing of health data, it does not specifically determine who may communicate with the client. Instead, it focuses on protecting their privacy.
D) The medical records are open to any hospital employee, including administration: This statement is incorrect as it violates confidentiality principles. Medical records are not accessible to all hospital employees; access is restricted to authorized personnel only, ensuring that patient information is kept confidential.