When assessing the intensity of a patient's pain, which question by the nurse is appropriate?
a. "What makes your pain better or worse?"
b. "How much pain do you have now?"
c. "How does pain limit your activities?"
d. "What does your pain feel like?"
ANS: B
Asking the patient "how much pain do you have?" is an assessment of the intensity of a patient's pain; various intensity scales can be used. Asking what makes one's pain better or worse assesses alleviating or aggravating factors. Asking whether pain limits one's activities assesses the degree of impairment and quality of life. Asking "what does your pain feel like" assesses the quality of pain.
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