The patient states, "My pain is awful!" The response that illustrates the use of focusing is:
a. "On a scale of 1 to 10, tell me the number that represents your level of pain."
b. "I am not sure I understand what you're telling me."
c. "You seem to be in considerable pain."
d. "Can you handle the pain you're having?"
ANS: A
Focusing, or asking focused questions, prompts the patient to provide more definitive information. Asking a patient to rate his or her pain on a scale of 1 to 10 exemplifies this definition.
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