The nurse is assessing pain level with vital signs for an adolescent client. The client is reporting pain but when the nurse asks for a description of the pain the client says, "It just hurts. Why can't I have something?"

Question

Which action by the nurse is the most appropriate?
1. Leave the room and come back later.
2. Provide questions that require yes or no answers related to pain.
3. Ask the client what they would like to have for pain.
4. Continue with the vital signs assessment.

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2
People who are not feeling well or who are in pain may have difficulty with open-ended questions, such as "Describe ...." The nurse may be better able to obtain an accurate description of their pain by having them respond to descriptive words. Leaving the room will not provide effective pain management. Asking the client what she would like for pain is not appropriate without a complete assessment. If the client is in pain, moving on to the vital signs will not yield additional information.