The nurse administers an analgesic to a patient with a headache. What is the best way for the nurse to assess the patient's response to the medication?

a. Ask the patient to describe the pain.
b. Observe the patient's behavior.
c. Monitor the patient's blood pressure and pulse.
d. Have the patient rate the pain on a scale of 0 to 10.


ANS: D
A pain rating scale is the most objective measure of the patient's pain. A, B, and C may also be helpful but are not the primary data needed. Blood pressure and pulse may increase with acute pain but not with chronic pain.

Nursing

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