Which objective method should the nurse use to assess the client's pain level?
1. Ask the client to describe the pain sensation.
2. Assess pain only when the client complains of pain.
3. Observe whether the client appears to be in pain or appears comfortable.
4. Use a pain rating scale such as the numeric rating scale.
Correct Answer: 4
Rationale 1: Asking the client to describe the pain is a part of the assessment, but it is not the most objective tool.
Rationale 2: Assessing only when the client complains of pain is not an adequate method of assessing pain regularly.
Rationale 3: Observation of the client is important, but it is considered subjective data.
Rationale 4: The most objective tool for assessment of pain is a pain scale.
Global Rationale: The most objective tool for assessment of pain is a pain scale. Asking the client to describe the pain is a part of the assessment, but it is not the most objective tool. Assessing only when the client complains of pain is not an adequate method of assessing pain regularly. Observation of the client is important, but it is considered subjective data.
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