A nursing student caring for a patient with cancer tells the nurse that the patient seems to be exaggerating when reporting the degree of pain. Which statement by the nurse is an appropriate response to this concern?

Question

a. "Evaluation of the patient's vital signs can help you tell if this patient is exaggerating."
b. "It is important to give pain medication as ordered for the degree of pain the patient reports."
c. "We may need to evaluate the patient for the development of metastasis or infection."
d. "You should monitor this patient's behavior and facial expressions for a more accurate assessment."

Answer 1

ANS: B
The patient's description of his or her pain is the cornerstone of assessment. Pain is a personal experience, and caregivers must act on what the patient says, even if they suspect the patient is exaggerating or not telling the truth. Evaluation of vital signs can be used to monitor responses to pain medication, as can assessments of behaviors and facial expressions, but they are not determinants of the level of pain in initial assessments. Patients with pain in new locations should be evaluated for metastases or infection or other causes.